Next step

Greetings everyone -

My supervisor in Niigata contacted me today regarding the schools I will be visiting in Maki throughout the school year -- looks like it will be 7 in total with 2 JHSs and 5 elementary schools. Mondays and Tuesdays will be spent at Maki-nishi(west) JHS while Thursdays and Fridays will have me at Maki-higashi(east) JHS. It sounds like Wednesdays will be filled with elementary school visits. The car will definitely come in handy if I have to go to all 5 in one day! Maki, itself, is situated 30 - 40 minutes outside of Niigata city...

I was able to get a bunch of NY style souvenirs yesterday for the folks in my new town. Most of the stuff was picked up for students and teachers, so I still have to come up with some more ideas for the brass. So far, the best ideas have been chocolates, coffee, and hand soaps... Anybody have other suggestions? Buying in bulk can be interesting when you're trying to adhere to a weight limit (^ ^).

The picture above is of me and two very special coworkers/friends at Japan America Learning Center in Scarsdale. Getting accepted to the JET Program would have been almost impossible without their guidance and recommendation letters. Shizuko (left) has been a major force in my development as an English tutor over the past 3 years; she has offered infinite patience and understanding in the process. Dana, a former participant in the JET Program, has also gone out of her way to support me throughout the application process. I will be happy to continue the abuse of their friendship in the form of "whining e-mails" when/if lesson plans fall through in the future (^ ^)\/. (Ladies -- I'll send $ for ice coffees/lemonades etc.)

Oh well, time to sign off for now. I hope everyone is well and staying cool in this heat!

Keep surfing!
Brendan