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October

I start to feel like a teacher.  I'm hanging out with the students and have now visited all 8 of my Junior High Schools (JHS).  I sort out my house so I'm properly settled here, I have a kickass chair and my computer hooked up to my TV so I can watch movies and relax.  This is good because my foot is out of action and I can't do any sport. 

Some ALT's from nearby Islands come to visit.  We have a Picnic at these fields filled with flowers called Cosmos.  Some of us Swim to a nearby Island where there is a lighthouse, on the swim back I see a flying fish.  That evening is the Fukue Nebuta festival, a big street parade where all the young people dress up and dance around.  It really is impressive and my students rock!  You wouldn't ever get anything like this in Loughborough.

I try Ikebana (flower arranging) which is pretty good fun!  I have a Halloween party for the Primary school kids where I dress up as a mummy.  I teach at an elementary school and the kids just go nuts for me - it really is brilliant.  There's another trip to Nagasaki too, it seems like its good to get off the Island at least once a month.

November

November kicks off with Divali.  I expect to feel homesick, but I think teaching has been keeping me busy and I throw a party for all of my friends as well, which helps me keep my mind off it.  I cook Samosa, Dhal, Bhat and Cauliflower Shak.  Other people chip in with food too, and we have a great night.

My JHS's have a music festival, they are really impressive.  One of my students at Outoh played a fantastic tune on the Shamisen.  I go out quite a lot, start Karate - which is an absolute killer but still a lot of fun and the Emperor of Japan comes to visit which is kind of cool.

The big event though is a trip to Fukuoka to see a National Sumo tournament at the Kyushu-Basho.  Fukuoka is a fantastic City.  I get to meet a Sumo wrestler, stay in a capsule hotel, have a massage onsen & Jacuzzi, eat at a street stall and go shopping in Canal City - a huge mall.  The month ends how it started, with a big Party, this time thrown by Jennifer for Thanksgiving.  The pumpkin pie is usurped by my Kickass Cheesecake.

December

I win a mixed doubles badminton tournament with a JHS student and win a pair of socks.  I'm very happy!  I start taking Japanese lessons in Nagasaki because I want to pass Japanese proficiency level 3 next year and head off to Nagasaki again for Patrick's Birthday.

Start to miss home - I think Christmas does that to you, so I send home some killer Christmas presents to everyone.  Still have no plans for the holidays though.  I've found a few guys here to play football with, they're ok - The Japanese Bobsters.  We have a Christmas Party, and my presents rock.  I go to a shrine on new years eve to ring a bell and make a wish.  Who's this dude on the right?

Oh yeah, and I make this website inside of five days.