Happy Thanksgiving!

In anticipation for the first family holiday that I was going to have to spend without my family, I decided to throw a small party at my place with my friends. It was a small idea that I threw at Briana, Jarrett and Taisei one evening at Miroku, and they liked it so much that I ran with it. Originally it was going to be something small, around 10 to 12 people. We all provide food and drinks and sit around and talk.

But then I kept telling more people, and other people told more people, and some people brought friends. And some people who cancelled decided that they were gonna come after all. I ended up having a fairly large party in my apartment with over 20 people in attendance at any given time as people came and went. There was plenty of food to go around, and every time we ran out of beer and wine, someone else would show up with more. 

It was so much fun, and I was incredibly thankful to have made so many good friends in such a short amount of time living here. I made jerk chicken and friend chicken to represent me, my family, and my culinary skills. They turned out delicious, but a few people suffered a bit from the spice level. Whoopsies. Here are some pictures from the festivities!

Marcel, Takeru, Phillip, Taisei, Satoko, Briana

Bao, Miki, Samurai

Satoko, Miki, Taisei, Samurai, Phillip

Taisei, Miki, Samurai, Marcel, Phillip

Takeru, Taisei, Teppei, Bao, Samurai, Phillip

Me and Taisei!

me and Miki!

Jarrett, Andy, Marcel, Miki, Crystal, Taisei

Ronan, Funa San, Hiro, jake, Jarrett (is hiding), Andy, Marcel

Jake, Jarrett, Andy, Marcel

Me and Samurai!

and then the whole crew dog piles on my bed... I'm glad the thing didn't collapse!

The party started at 4 (well the first people didn't show up until around 4:30). And we didn't all leave for the after party at Miroku until around 11pm. About 7 hours of food, fun, and friends. I couldn't have been happier!

Now on to the craziness that is work right now. I made it through my parent observations! I was really worried about them, but it really wasn't so bad... Most of the comments that I have read so far have been good ones, so I'm happy. I'm still collecting comments and making counseling appointments, on top of doing counselings between class. Its keeping me really busy, and really behind in my lesson planning. This week I also have to fill out progress reports for all of my students. Oh, and this week I have a new student in a new class, taking away one of my free time blocks. I'm managing to juggle all of this pretty well, I just like to complain I guess. One thing that is frustrating is trying to get winter seminars. Since I can't effectively communicate with most of my parents, I feel like the Japanese teachers get the upper hand in securing seminar classes, and yet we are still under pressure to do so. I'll try my best! We'll see!

I can't wait for my winter break... I'm going to Tokyo!

Well that's all from me for now,

まったね！

～寒