Japan Here We Come!!!

Yes, that's right, because we have a 5 day weekend for Chinese (Lunar) New Year, my friend Christina and I decided to take advantage of these 5 days and booked a flight to Nagoya Japan. Does anyone find it ironic that I'm going to Japan for "Chinese" New Year?? Oh well, I guess I could think of stranger things...While planning our itinerary, as to where to spend our 4 nights, we considered, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka & Tokyo. Since Nagoya is on the eastern part of the country (the archipelago as it's called) we decided it best to take a train or bus (5.5 hours) from Nagoya to Tokyo where we will stay for 3 nights. We already have reserved a place to stay for only 29,000 Yen ($29 per person/night) what a friggin bargain, esp. for Tokyo!!! I am so excited to be going to Japan and especially to have to excitement & pleasure of being in Tokyo. I've packed my bathing suit because they have over 3,000 natural, hot springs (Onsen) there!!! Some are co-ed, some are segregated. I wanna make sure I'm completely prepared for this trip!!!

I have so much to write to catch you up on the WONDERFUL time I had teaching at an Intensive English Camp for Korean HS & Middle School teachers. We worked long, hard hours each week for the entire month of January. Starting with our first class at 9am, and ending the last class each day at 8:30pm. We would teach each teach about 8 - 9 50 minute classes per day!!! But it was so much fun b/c I got to teach English to grown-up adults who actually WANTED to be there. I mean, these teachers voluntarily "gave up" their entire month long winter break to enroll themselves in this INTENSIVE English course to help improve their English. I tell you, this was most intriguing, impressive, and admirable thing to see & experience. To see the extreme dedication, commitment, and focus these teachers have to improve their English speaking and to help them gain the confidence that they need to be effective English teachers. This was quite a unique privilege, honor, and treat for me to be a part of this process. I feel very lucky,grateful, and appreciative (once again) to have been selected (1 of 8 Instructors) to teach at this camp. We even made it onto the evening News Channel KBS one night which featured the nature of the English we were teaching at. I am becoming even more of a celebrity in Korea these days because people from all over town are recognizing me from the TV News report. Who knows, I just me run for mayor of Miryang one day!! I will write more on this experience with my next entry. Right now I need to head off to bed b/c I have to catch a train to the airport tomorrow morning. HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!!!

2008 - Year of the Rat!!!!!