4-25-2011

At the kindergarten I teach at this year, they have some really nice decorations. This is for Children's Day, although really the holiday is Boys' Day (Girls' Day is Hina Matsuri, the Doll Festival).

4-22-2011

For work I had to pick up a kindergarten that's not exactly close to me. It's not too far, in Machida, but since it eats most of my day, I've decided to start taking lunch there too. It lets me try things that Shinjuku doesn't have close to the office. TGIFriday's has a decent lunch menu, and this Cajun Chicken Salad is my new love.

2-15-2011

As mentioned before, the kids at the kindy I teach at are making dolls for the Doll Festival in March. These are some of the finished products. Kids' crafts are so cute, but it seems like these guys make a LOT of crafts...!

2-12-2011

In preparation for Valentine's Day at my office, here's a pile of origami hearts wearing dress shirts and ties. Not sure if the guys will like them, but hopefully it will show that I made my gifts by hand. If I'm lucky they'll get it...

2-8-2011

The kids at the kindergarten I teach for are making their own dolls for the Doll Festival next month. With any luck I'll be able to get photos of the finished products too.

EDIT: Indeed, I got a photo!

2-1-2011

The kindergarten I teach English at had these on the counter in the library where I prepare for my lessons.  My best guess is the flower garlands were made in preparation for spring.  It's only February, but spring is coming.

1-26-2011

Today at work I assembled a test papercraft tardis out of bond paper from the office printer, under the guise of research for teaching materials.  My findings were that it was much too small to use in a classroom.  You know, I *had* to assemble it to figure this out...

12-10-2010

Today was my company's end of year party, or Bonenkai.  The food was pretty good but I forgot to take photos of most of it and others didn't turn out.  It seems I'm doomed to take pictures of desserts only.

Frozen cream puffs that were rather flavorless, but looked nice when plated.

8-30-2010

My boss came over from Osaka to help with our training tomorrow so it fell to me to entertain him instead of leaving him to be bored and alone in Tokyo.  Since he's vegetarian, I opted for the Brown Rice Cafe, a place that came with high recommendation.  Here's what I had, served with a side of brown rice, some dipping sauces and a soy chai latte.

8-26-2010

The Italian restaurant we always go for work has pretty good presentation.  The food quality is good too but I always want to take photos of the food.  Grapefruit gelatin, peach cream puff and chocolate cake with ice cream, lemon biscuit and vanilla ice cream drizzled with chocolate sauce.

8-25-2010

Went to Hanayashiki in Asakusa for work today and found this little waterfall and shrine.  Sometimes the little details here are the best.

7-29-2010

Still at the English Camp, I discovered a lovely banner promoting...Safety Outdoor?  Okay, well we understand what they meant but how does something like this develop?  Apparently this is now the accepted way to say this in Japan.

7-28-2010

This week the parent company of my work organized a Kids' English Camp out in Chiba and I was chosen as one of the counselors.  One of the activities was to make Native American headdresses out of paper (the theme this year was Native American). As much as I'd like to have posted one of my many pictures of the adorable kids wearing their crafts, it's not legal to post photos of children without their parents' consent so I'll stick to the other counselors.

The camp was way out in deep Chiba prefecture, with the nearest station, Kimitsu, being a 40-minute drive away.