Due to popular demand, I'm back in business writing blogs. My apologies for the delay. Life in Japan has been smooth and enjoyable, the seasons are rolling from autumn into winter and the nights are getting cooler, in the mornings there's a touch of frost. Nevertheless, my turtle is warm with his underwater heater and Harry the hamster appears immune to the cold and is as genki as ever. A few interesting events of late. I went to a teachers conference in my area and saw some adorable elementary school kids doing an english school play called the 'peach boy'. It was really cute to watch and I think they did an excellent job remembering all their english lines! I also went and saw a singing concert by the junior high school students. Every grade sung two songs as a choir. They were actually very good. It was nice to see the students singing together as I relaxed in the comfy chairs. Although, I had to judge the songs to help choose who did the best job! that required a bit of work deciphering the japanese kanji code on the paper. but it went well. Chika showed me an interesting thing (we have been spending lots of time together, going bowling and stuff.. its great!). She has this 'world radio' system at her place where you can listen to radio stations from all around the world. I don't know how it works but there are many stations to listen to. Some specialise in jazz, others classical, pop, 80's music, reggae etc... There are some unusual stations such as the one that recites the following, 24 hours 7 days a week: .....hitsuji ga kyuhyaku nanajyu ichi, hitsuji ga kyuhyaku nanajyu ni...... (sheep nine hundred and seventy one, sheep nine hundred and seventy two) basically counting sheep into eternity! intersting huh? There is also a station that plays only traffic noise and one that has monks chanting 24 hours a day. Time for me to go, ciao for now. I'll write again soon. I've been mostly sending emails to those people who send them to me hence the lack of postings however, I will endeavour to keep up the blogging of the latest happenings in Japan for the general peoples whereever you are...

I just wrote a really long blog but the computre ate it! alas, I'll write again soon. see you.

Hello!, I thought I'd add a few more comments about life in Japan. Things are rolling along very smoothly here with nothing radically new to report. My turtle and hamster are well. Life is good. It's getting a little cooler here now autmumn has developed and winter is fast approaching. The mornings are a little frosty. I bought a new green jacket with extra warm layers inside. It keeps me toasty on my scooter in the mornings as I bike through the mountains. I should say I've achieved one of my dreams. That is too see the maple trees in Japan in the Autumn. It really is beautiful. The mountains around my house are covered in evergreen japanese cypress with large areas of japanese maple and other deciduous trees. The autumn colours are really vivid and quite spectacular really. Just a little post. Send me an email about yuor life in NZ or whereever you are!