Hello, lots of the usual happenings here in Japan. I've started work at school which so far has consisted of countless self-introductions to every new class. It was nice visiting Hase elementary school. The children welcomed me by lining up in two long rows in the gymnasium and holding bamboo hoops with paper flowers over their heads for me to walk under, all the while singing 'you are my sunshine'. It was very cute. I really like the elementary school kids. They are really cute and adorable. The fact they speak japanese makes them even cuter. There's no shortage of social activities on the weekends. I've befriended most of the ALTs in my area. We have fun together out and about. Yesterday, I went jogging somewhere in the countryside with one of my adult english students. She is part of a jogging club. It was a beautiful area but today my legs are rather sore as we jogged for a long time. I might take it up here in Okawachi. It's hard to point out the many strange things here. So many things are a little different from Nz. I'm getting used to the bowing now, it's done about 50 times a day, even just the slight head nod which is most common. The japanese are very polite and have set ways of doing things. At the beginning of every class the students stand up and bow together while saying 'onegaishimasu' which is a very polite 'please' . I Saw a little snake outside my apartment this morning. The beetles here are out of this world, big and far out. Three of the elementary school students in a class I visited showed me their little hamsters they keep in a little covered basket, they are so cute. I might have to get one soon. My scooter is behaving wonderfully. I love having the freedom to travel around my area. I did 180km on one tank of petrol and it only costs 450yen to fill up (about $7). The board of education gave me 18,000yen for travel expenses. I think it's a monthly allowance so that's pretty generous. I bought a new japanese cellphone (keitai) pronounced - kay-tai. They are so far out. About 5 years ahead of new zealand I think. It's slinky and light and I can surf the internet, send emails and many other things like a calculator, calendar planner, high resolution camera etc... It even has a built in flashlight! Looks like something off a UFO and works perfectly. Only cost me 5000yen (about $80!!) It's far out. In Japan there is a real contrast between the old and the new. The new high-tech japan and the old traditional country style japanese culture. It's quite interesting really. There is quite a mix. I've made friends with some japanese people which is cool. They're two guys kazuki and kozo I met through a 3rd year ALT. It's good to meet the 'real' japanese people my age too. The school I'm at has a sports festival on in the weekend and all the students are out practicing on the field in the 30 degree heat. I've been invited to go and watch if I like but it's so hot, I think I'll go near the end as I'd roast otherwise. I've taught 3 classes today and that's it. There is often a lot of spare time but it's ok as I can study japanese and prepare for classes etc...