文化祭 ---マーレン先生

It has officially been one month of teaching here at Fujimura and I am learning just as much as I am teaching. Last week was the culture festival, bunkasai, and it was absolutely amazing. In the United States we do not have anything like it! I couldn’t believe that one class had built a rollercoaster inside the classroom. This past weekend was also the first time I attended a traditional Japanese tea ceremony and was very impressed! It was fun to see all the different food, games, and events that my students put on. I am very lucky to be teaching at a school with such talented girls!

 

Outside of school I am getting involved more in the local Japanese community. I have been acting with a local improv troupe as well as performing stand-up comedy with an all American group in Shibuya. I love performing so it is really cool to be involved in shows here in Tokyo. I get to meet local residents who attend the shows as well. I also have joined a Calvary Chapel church in Fuchu and love how welcoming the other people who go there are. I love that the service and worship is in both Japanese and English!

 

~Marlene

Trip to the Izu Penninsula （伊豆半島への旅)

This weekend was a 3-day weekend because of Respect for the Elders day, so I took a trip to the Izu Peninsula. It was fantastic! I took the Shinkansen down to Atami Station on Sunday afternoon and met up with my friend. We stayed in a traditional ryokan with tatami mat floors. It was very beautiful and we had a view of the ocean from our room. On Monday, we got up early and took the train down to Shimoda. We took a boat tour, and then took the cable car to the top of Mt. Nesugata. There was a beautiful garden and a shrine at the top, and amazing views of the city and the ocean. Then we went to the beach. It was cloudy because there was a typhoon about to come in, but the water was warm, so we swam and enjoyed it very much. We had the beach all to ourselves! It was a great trip. I was happy to find such a nice little paradise so close to Tokyo. I would love to go back in the summertime when it is nice and sunny!

-          Emma

Japanese food and amazing experiences （日本食と素晴らしい体験)

I have been living in Japan for just over a month and a half now and I am loving the Tokyo life! There are so many things to explore and try. The food is also very good! While some I know from home like sushi and ramen, there is a lot of cuisine I have never heard of while living in the states. Before moving here I had never tried udon or takoyaki, but now udon is my new favorite food. I love the soy broth with an egg and shrimp tempura!

 

In addition to trying a wide variety of Japanese food, I’ve also been going to events and exhibits around the city. My favorite was an art show called DMM Planets. The creators used light to make amazing displays that I couldn’t believe were real! In one room, you are standing in water up to your knees and there are koi fish and flowers being projected on the surface. It was like magic! There was also a room with a string of lights from the floor to the ceiling that lit up in time with music. I felt like I was in a storybook. Already Japan has proven to be full of fascinating events and good food, so I can’t wait to see what this year has in store!

 

~Marlene

 

自己紹介

新しいALTの先生方の自己紹介です。

マーリン先生

Hello! My name is Marlene Pierce and I am from Seattle in Washington state. I graduated from Northwest University in Kirkland, WA with a degree in English literature and writing. This will be my fourth year working with ESL students and my first time teaching in a private school. I have been to over twenty countries, but this is my first visit to Japan and I am loving everything. Everyone is very welcoming and I can’t wait to experience as much Japanese culture as possible!

 

エマ先生

Hello! My name is Emma, and I am very happy to be working at Fujimura. I’m American, and I am 23 years old. I am originally from Santa Fe, New Mexico, and I have lived for the past five years in Denver, Colorado. At university, I studied International Affairs and French. Before moving to Tokyo, I worked as an Academic Advisor. My hobbies are skiing, hiking, yoga, and writing. I love to travel. This is my first time in Japan, and I am very excited to explore and learn more about Japanese culture! The first week of school has been great. I have enjoyed meeting the other teachers and all of my students. Everyone is very kind and helpful. I’m looking forward to the year ahead.

新ＡＬＴをお迎えしました

こんにちは。

本日より2学期です。始業式で、校長先生よりオリンピックに参加した難民チームのことについてお話があった後、夏休み中のクラブ活動の報告、そして最後に、新ＡＬＴの先生お二人と、オーストラリアからの留学生のためのwelcomeセレモニーが開かれました。

来週からブログを再開いたします。
Pierce Marlene先生、Sletteland Emma先生のお二人です。
お楽しみに。

副校長　今本