Hello all,

So I guess its about a month since I wrote anything - thats about par for the course these days. As usual, quite a bit has happened to me recently, but I wouldn`t want it any other way.

After reading the last entry I wrote, maybe you think I was a bit harsh on the Japanese system enabling foreigners to transfer their native licence into a Japanese one. Actually, the second stage of the procedure, going to the driving licence centre (which I did ten days ago), was amazingly stress free and I didn`t even have to take any tests, just do a short interview about my driving experience. Oh sorry, I did have to take a test - an eye test, which lasted all of three minutes and for which I had to pay about ten pounds! Also, the funniest thing was that I had to watch a video about how driving in Japan is different from driving in America. This would be all very well if I was used to driving on the right but in the UK we drive on the same side as Japan so the video became a bit pointless after a while. However, I have the licence and I have the use of a car so I am not complaining at all - it beats having to use a bicycle everyday that`s for sure!

These days I am working in 2 junior high and 3 elementary schools as an assistant english language teacher. In the junior high schools I am assisting the Japanese English teacher so usually I do whtever they ask me to do, but in elementary schools I decide on the lesson and how to deliver it with the help of the homeroom teacher. So far I have taught second, third and fifth grade. I never thought I would say this but teaching in elementary school is fun, albeit very tiring. i love the kids and they seem to really like me Maybe if I did it for an extended period I may not be so positive. However, the kids are great and so cute, friendly and innocent - it kind of makes you feel like a kid again and definitely keeps you feeling young. The teachers are great too - all so kind and helpful and most of them want to practice their English. I hope I can continue to enjoy this job and make the kids happy.

Some other good news was that I passed level four of the Japanese Proficiency Test (Japanese test for foreigners). I scored about 72% and considering I felt really ill on the day of the exam I think I did OK. Next up is level three, with the highest being level one and at this moment in time a long way off for me. To motivate me to study more, I recently bought two kanji (Chinese character) study books. I think kanji is very difficult to learn but day by day I am picking up a couple of new characters - the trouble is that the more one learns the more one has to maintain - the biggest barrier to improving, save for lack of regular practice. I also started another Japanese class with one of my former GEOS students - the more practice I can get the better! I regularly send email in Japanese to my friends which is great practice in itself, and I guess after one year I am surprised (and should be happy) at what I can actually understand. However, I find it very frustrating not to be able to understand something quickly - so I feel it is a great test of my patience and determination.

OK so that`s all for now. It`s raining today which is something of a surprise but when one has a car its a little more convenient than riding a bicycle while trying to hold an umbrella up - something I often used to do in the recent past.

Take care, and don`t work too hard, until next time
Kevin