A Note, From My Students, To You

Every day, the same class of students who write in their Conversation Journals, sing a song at the beginning of class. The song changes monthly, and needless to say the further into the month it is, the more entertaining their rendition. This clip is from June 25, ample time for the students to at least master the chorus. 

I made this silly little video last night. 

Which actually took my longer than I'd like to admit. 

But let's not talk about it.

Enjoy!

*I am SO very sorry you all have to hear me “sing”. I thought I was whispering, but evidently not quietly enough.

Adding A Bit Of Wonder,
Kate

[The Latest]

Must Read: Picture of the Day: India and Elsewhere..from NY Times Blog.

Google Search: US State Department.

Tune: Silver Lining By Rilo Kiley.

Accomplishment: This little vid.

Obsessions: My little potted herbs.

Thoughts Today III

On this last Thursday in June, here are a few of my thoughts, dreams, sights and sounds.

What I'm Seeing...

team english workin hard.

What I'm Saying...

it's been a rather international day.

 What I'm Reading...

What I'm Eating...

omiyage from kyoto.
thanks keima!

What I'm Hearing...

make sure to keep watching past the intro.

What I'm Pondering...

-my eye hurts

-i wish the eye dr. was open on thursdays

-why have i gotten so many eye infections this year?

-do i finish the rest of my water now or save some for after lunch?

-man i'm excited for my lunch today

-oh! i need to plan for my adult class tonight

-can i fit in a run and shower before class? but i feel so clean now...

-what should i wear to my enkai tomorrow?

-man this weekend is gonna be hectic, but fun hectic

-no work tomorrow for me!

-can't wait for the freakin weekend...baby i'm about to have me some fun

What I'm Dreaming...

i wish this i lived closer to this.

summer neons.

all things summer.

Being, 

Kate

Journals of Conversation IV

Here we go! 

What my 40, 13 year old kiddos had to say this week.

Enjoy!

*The day they wrote these the kids had just learned the grammar point must/must not. They were encouraged to use it in a sentence to me, hence the vast number of kids asking, what must you today?


*Also, I just reread these and it's official, my English has gone down hill. When you write things like, Yes, I can eat tomato. You know you have a problem.

Tomoya: Star Student
1/2

2/2

Keeper of the Red Pen, 

Kate

[The Latest]

Must Read: Writer and Filmmaker With a Genius for Humor..from NY Times. 
RIP Nora Ephron.

Google Search: Vietnam Embassy Tokyo Map.

Tune: Take a Walk By Passion Pit.

Accomplishment: Homemade microdermabraison. 3 parts baking soda, 1 part water. Scrub and rinse. Love it!

Obsessions: New reusable water bottle.

Journals of Conversation: The Making

Yesterday after lunch I grabbed my tote bag of 40 conversation journals and headed to my favorite class of the week. We had our usual class led by Kitai Sensei where the students covered the grammar point, must/must not. The end of class was spent passing out the journals and checking the students understood my responses; then we all proceeded to bust out our dictionaries and teamwork skills, in order to conjure up some original responses. Through giggles and gestures, we get things accomplished. I took a few snapshots of the kids and their journals in action. 

I am grading them today, so I should have some great responses for you tomorrow.

Enjoy!

...and when you're done, turn them in.

Leader of the Journals,

Kate

[The Latest]

Must Read: Japan Sells First Fukushima Seafood Since Nuclear Crisis..from BBC.

Google Search: Cambodian cuisine.

Tune: Take a Walk By Passion Pit.

Accomplishment: Understanding more of the students` Japanese than usual, and translating it into English for them.

Obsessions: Chocolate soy milk.

Weekend Update

highlights included...

[1] an overpriced, but excellent almond latte in ginza

[2] a birthday for a friend

[3] nighttime view of the rainbow bridge from odaiba

[4] a midnight nap at kamagaya station

[5] an end of the year soccer party for friends

[6] a renovated tokyo main station

[7] lunch in the imperial gardens

[8] plants on the wall at the entrance to zara 

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

back to the grind,

kate

[The Latest]

Must Read: Bee Swarm Attack Lands Thailand Monks in Hospital...from BBC.
Google Search: Kamagaya City Guide.

Tune: 3am By Gregory Alan Isakov.

Accomplishment: Making last train on Saturday night.
Obsessions: My new jean shorts.

iphone phun

i was looking through my phone today deleting pictures. i came across a few that i thought were super cool, but for some reason had never been shared. 

so here you go.

a few snapshots from my life lately.

(and by lately i mean anywhere from march until now)

snowboarding in nagano.

avacado eggrolls from BJs.

a picture of a painting from SF MOMA.

palos verdes.

typhoon puddle play.

buy 2, get the 3rd one free.
don't judge.

japanese study at yoyogi.

sunday karaoke session.

leaves in hiroshima.

friday at work.

livin, 

kate

[The Latest]

Must Read: 21 Pictures That Will Restore Your Faith in Humanity...from Buzzfeed.
Google Search: Will & Grace episode with the water bra.

Tune: Glad You Came By GLEE.

Accomplishment: Managing a run between rainfalls.
Obsessions: Left over Thai food.