I`ve been playing squash since elementary school. Aside from injuries and countless broken raquets, this is a game that keeps me coming back for more and more abuse. In Canada I play in the evenings after work. Competition is strong among the clubs, especially in Vancouver. Here in Kyoto I play at lunch time before [...]
Back in Canada, especially during summer vacation, I often take off and explore some of the country-side on my motorcycle, usually packing my fishing rod and tent. Golden Week here is also the perfect opportunity to experience places off the beaten track. There is some stunning scenery along the oceanside road from Kyoto to Tottori [...]
Last weekend after coaching at my スミス英会話桂校, my students and I had a nice soak at the local sento and afterwards went out for food and drinks in nearby Arashiyama. The sento owner took over the business from his father. He`s always very welcoming whenever my students and I show up. I especially like the [...]
At my Smith`s School of English Katsura スミス英会話桂校 we have events at least once a month. Students can meet other students, make new friends and practice their English outside the classroom in a relaxed environment. I remember one of my teaching positions in Korea, it was in the contract not to spend time with students outside [...]
Usually my students and I have our year end celebrations before Christmas but this year we decided to reserve a tea house on the grounds of the Kyoto Gyoen for Jan 31st. The Shusuitei Tea House has 2 levels and overlooks a pond and garden. If you require a quiet place to unwind, this is [...]
A tea salesman, a retired professor, a beef salesman, a Tokyo business man, a firefighter, 2 house wives, a park ranger, a retired couple, a recently married couple, a golf course manager, a construction worker, a hotel receptionist, a hotspring employee, a gas station attendent, an artist, and a gas company crew – thanks to [...]
My parents are not quite as keen on roaming the world as I am, but for the Golden Week holiday I finally had the great opportunity to show my mom around Kyoto, her first experience in Asia. She`s 65 now but as `genki` as ever. After spending 10 days here in the Kansai area we [...]
China, Mongolia, Russia, Estonia, Finland, Sweden, England, New York…..and back to Kyoto. I started back at classes the day after I returned but my internal clock was probably still somewhere in the middle of the Atlantic. A pleasant welcome back from my students and was excited to show them photos of my journey. Hope to [...]
I’m sure there are many of you like myself who had never done any flyer work before coming to Japan. I remember being a little weary about it at first but I thought I’ll give it a shot and see what happens. The second student who joined my school dropped by with a flyer in [...]
Hope everyone had a nice, relaxing break over the holiday. For those of you who are into some trekking I recommend a visit to Kamikochi in the Japan Alps. It’s kind of like a mini version of the Rocky Mountains back in Canada, except with a few more souvenir shops. You won’t need to worry [...]
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