Now I am in Kofu in my boiling hot room getting ready for the day at Yamanashi PU. I was taken for an Indian meal last night by the Takano family. It was very nice but I was so exhausted!
Monday, October 19, 2009
Kofu
Now I am in Kofu in my boiling hot room getting ready for the day at Yamanashi PU. I was taken for an Indian meal last night by the Takano family. It was very nice but I was so exhausted!
Weekend
Saturday morning was off back to Tokyo - I seem to have done an awful lot of dragging my cases around Japan at the moment. Though I arrived later than I wanted I actually had some time to watch a bit of a DVD! Then it was out for a Korean meal with former students.
Next day I met with another student who had been on the Link course and she helped me with shopping .... very busy round Shibuya and Shinjuku!
Dinner in Nagoya
The dinner conundrum was resolved by having it with staff and students from 2009 and 2006. Really nice food and a couple of beers after the presentation to NUCB staff. I think they liked it. One of them asked me for a job!
Friday, October 16, 2009
Nagoya
Been so busy haven't had time for this blogging business! Working all morning (Yamanashi want me to do three different presentations next week!) and then off to a meeting and then a dinner. Back late. These dinners in Japanese restaurants seems to last a long time! That's pretty much how the last few days have been.
Last night we were taken to the same tofu restaurant that I was taken to by Doshisha staff five years ago........... There weren't quite so many courses last night and it wasn't ALL tofu either!
Now I am in Nagoya, sitting in an "Excelsior Cafe" waiting for them to let me into my room. I arrived half an hour or so ago on the Shinkansen - I was on "Hikari". Amazing machines.
Today I have two meetings, one presentation and so far two dinners - haha. One of them will have to be sacrificed. Koryo students from a couple of years ago invited me to a German restaurant :) but then the staff and last year's students invited me out too last minute. Not sure yet how this will pan out. Jenny has gone off to Tokyo so that is the end of the joint CELT/IO bit of my visit.
Last night we were taken to the same tofu restaurant that I was taken to by Doshisha staff five years ago........... There weren't quite so many courses last night and it wasn't ALL tofu either!
Now I am in Nagoya, sitting in an "Excelsior Cafe" waiting for them to let me into my room. I arrived half an hour or so ago on the Shinkansen - I was on "Hikari". Amazing machines.
Today I have two meetings, one presentation and so far two dinners - haha. One of them will have to be sacrificed. Koryo students from a couple of years ago invited me to a German restaurant :) but then the staff and last year's students invited me out too last minute. Not sure yet how this will pan out. Jenny has gone off to Tokyo so that is the end of the joint CELT/IO bit of my visit.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Kansai tour
Yesterday had a meeting first thing at Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto. It was first time there and there nibbles of interest in a possible new course for their staff. I then dashed off to Kobe on the train for a meeting at Konan' Women's University. After that I met up with the five York students and then headed off with them to Osaka for something to eat. We went to one of these places with little private cubicles things with the sliding doors. The
staff knock on the door to deliver the food. I finally made it back to Kyoto after midnight..... at least the meeting at Kobe College is in the afternoon!
Monday, October 12, 2009
Public holiday
There was another wedding in the hotel today ... obviously the season for it.
Went to Karaoke last night with people from many UK universities and what I lacked in skill I made up for in enthusiasm so I think I represented York OK .... they weren't 100% impressed with my choice of Elvis songs though.
Worked this morning, then meant to head off to Nara in the afternoon. I was half way to the station though when I realised I had forgotten my train pass. So, I decided to get to know Kyoto a bit better. Went to a temple and then up to the river where I had a lovely walk in the sun. Sat and read for a bit, watched the world go by. I saw one guy with his cat sitting on his shoulder. I think I might try this up and down the Ouse with Franz.
Then back to the hotel to prepare for Ritsumeikan and Konan tomorrow. Think I just about have the presentation sorted now.
Went to Karaoke last night with people from many UK universities and what I lacked in skill I made up for in enthusiasm so I think I represented York OK .... they weren't 100% impressed with my choice of Elvis songs though.
Worked this morning, then meant to head off to Nara in the afternoon. I was half way to the station though when I realised I had forgotten my train pass. So, I decided to get to know Kyoto a bit better. Went to a temple and then up to the river where I had a lovely walk in the sun. Sat and read for a bit, watched the world go by. I saw one guy with his cat sitting on his shoulder. I think I might try this up and down the Ouse with Franz.
Then back to the hotel to prepare for Ritsumeikan and Konan tomorrow. Think I just about have the presentation sorted now.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Kyoto
I moved rooms today - when I saw that some rooms had views of Kyoto castle rather than a building site I enquired it was possible to move. It was, but not to those premium rooms. Still, it is better than the building site!
Whilst having breakfast there was a rehearsal for a wedding which was to take place place pretty much is the lobby with people like me gawping at them over their bacon. I think they were going to close some blinds for the real thing but this was a full dress rehearsal with all the people involved complete with keyboard like mine, flute and a Westlife tune (I didn't know that, I just looked it up on Google!).
After that I spent the morning/afternoon ploughing on with studying and taking part in the online seminars. My tutor called one of my contributions excellent! What a swot.
Took a bit of time off for a coffee and fresh french loaf "sand" from the coffee place round the corner and then watched The Office. OK OK I know you will all probably think I should have been visiting temples and the like but I have been here before and this was just about the only time I have had to relax and not do much! I think I needed it - I might even have a bath later!
Whilst having breakfast there was a rehearsal for a wedding which was to take place place pretty much is the lobby with people like me gawping at them over their bacon. I think they were going to close some blinds for the real thing but this was a full dress rehearsal with all the people involved complete with keyboard like mine, flute and a Westlife tune (I didn't know that, I just looked it up on Google!).
After that I spent the morning/afternoon ploughing on with studying and taking part in the online seminars. My tutor called one of my contributions excellent! What a swot.
Took a bit of time off for a coffee and fresh french loaf "sand" from the coffee place round the corner and then watched The Office. OK OK I know you will all probably think I should have been visiting temples and the like but I have been here before and this was just about the only time I have had to relax and not do much! I think I needed it - I might even have a bath later!
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Yesterday
Spent the day working in my room and also went to the British Council briefing. Just about worth going to, I guess. Then in the evening it was off to Kunadachi to meet students and staff from Tsuda. There were about 30 York summer course 'alumni' there, which was nice. Two students sacrificed themselves by sitting next to me and did their best to entertain me while the other mostly enjoyed catching up with their mates! It all laste about six hours and then I got lost in Shinjuku - I think someone had removed all the signs whiile I was away.... I wasn't best pleased at the time as I was a little weary.
Apart from at breakfast, when I bumped into someone I had met the day before, I haven't had to listen to my own voice all day ... :)
Apart from at breakfast, when I bumped into someone I had met the day before, I haven't had to listen to my own voice all day ... :)
Kyoto
Finally arrived in Kyoto ... had a nice ride on the Shinkansen. Did some work, listened to some music and watched Japan flash by. It's much further from the station than I thought - I am sure it was supposed to be right by the station. Anyway, it meant that getting here was much more difficult than I thought it would be and there is not much round here ....
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Typhoon
Well the typhoon finally hit .. though it was a typhoon of students ... I just spent the last 5 hours talking. Mostly about things I didn't quite fully understand. So I guess no change there then. haha. Felt like telling myself to just shut up! Need something to eat and a beer badly ....
well so far the typhoon hasn't materialised and it's a lovely sunny day!
Just back from Tsuda College. It was a bit of a nightmare getting there as most trains were cancelled because of the Typhoon, apparently. We had to go right round the houses and after I got off a stop early (I panicked, attacked the doors with my umbrella only to find that the station we wanted was 'next'....) we were about an hour late. But the meeting went well and I have an hour before going off to the agent fair. I have a feeling I haven't really done my homework properly for this.
Just back from Tsuda College. It was a bit of a nightmare getting there as most trains were cancelled because of the Typhoon, apparently. We had to go right round the houses and after I got off a stop early (I panicked, attacked the doors with my umbrella only to find that the station we wanted was 'next'....) we were about an hour late. But the meeting went well and I have an hour before going off to the agent fair. I have a feeling I haven't really done my homework properly for this.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
yesterday
Turned out to be a long one yersterday! Left the hotel at 10:30 and got back over 12 hours later! The presentation went well though and they loved the video! Spent the afternoon with students/Miho and Martin. They were supposed to come and ask us about York but I think we only had two in the end! Went out for a meal with Martin afterwards and I was almost falling asleep by nine .....
And then couldn't sleep at all last night so I'm knackered now with another long day ahead! I maanged to get another coffee from across the road though so that is doing its work as I write :)
It's raining but no real sign of the typhoon proper yet. Everyone is talking about its approach with some dread.
And then couldn't sleep at all last night so I'm knackered now with another long day ahead! I maanged to get another coffee from across the road though so that is doing its work as I write :)
It's raining but no real sign of the typhoon proper yet. Everyone is talking about its approach with some dread.
Typhoon
well so far it is just a bit of drizzle .....
slept really well - better than ever in York! Only woke up the once. Just grabbed an 'excelsior' coffee from across the road - somehow the green tea in the room wasn't right before breakfast.
slept really well - better than ever in York! Only woke up the once. Just grabbed an 'excelsior' coffee from across the road - somehow the green tea in the room wasn't right before breakfast.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
food blog
had a nice pork noodle soup :) washed down with a couple of asahi. Just across from the hotel so I am back now and ready to sleep. zzzzzzzzzzz
Arrival
well I have arrived in Tokyo. The flight was fine - apart from the rubbish films but at least I got some cup noodles which were only meant for business class passengers - I was advised to hide it from the Japanese staff ....
The hotel is huge and I am on the 23rd floor so you can imagine perhaps how much I enjoy the view.... I must admit that I felt more at home in my small place in Kichijoji - this is a real business/tourist hotel and I would normally avoid such places but then well, I guess I am here for work! My room is correspondingly palatial - clearly the type of place that NYS are used to booking for University staff!
The building opposite is full of ranks of salarymen ... or at least it was - they've gone off home now! Clearly already done their bit for the economic recovery in their normal working hours.
Perhaps the best thing so far about being in Japan is how friendly people are. A woman tried to help me with directions today, which didn't really work as she didn't speak any English and my Japanese has declined since the heady days of being in LFA level 2.
Met up with Jenny from the International Office to coordinate movements. She's gone off to a meeting with agents and I am about to have a meeting with the shower. Something which is most needed. We might meet for dinner later but that might depend on if she is bringing the agents with her.
Google video chat works an absolute treat here!
The hotel is huge and I am on the 23rd floor so you can imagine perhaps how much I enjoy the view.... I must admit that I felt more at home in my small place in Kichijoji - this is a real business/tourist hotel and I would normally avoid such places but then well, I guess I am here for work! My room is correspondingly palatial - clearly the type of place that NYS are used to booking for University staff!
The building opposite is full of ranks of salarymen ... or at least it was - they've gone off home now! Clearly already done their bit for the economic recovery in their normal working hours.
Perhaps the best thing so far about being in Japan is how friendly people are. A woman tried to help me with directions today, which didn't really work as she didn't speak any English and my Japanese has declined since the heady days of being in LFA level 2.
Met up with Jenny from the International Office to coordinate movements. She's gone off to a meeting with agents and I am about to have a meeting with the shower. Something which is most needed. We might meet for dinner later but that might depend on if she is bringing the agents with her.
Google video chat works an absolute treat here!
Monday, October 5, 2009
Departure
07:53
well I'm off this morning. Vastly overweight (and that it my bag not me) but apart from taking out a couple of shirts maybe there isn't much I can do about it. I hate this bit - checking you have everything, thinking you might have forgotten something, but that's probably just me being mental. Anyway, the taxi will be here soon, then train to London and flight direct to Narita, Tokyo after that.
well I'm off this morning. Vastly overweight (and that it my bag not me) but apart from taking out a couple of shirts maybe there isn't much I can do about it. I hate this bit - checking you have everything, thinking you might have forgotten something, but that's probably just me being mental. Anyway, the taxi will be here soon, then train to London and flight direct to Narita, Tokyo after that.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Packing day
OK so now it's the last chance to pack everything I need .... got loads of promotional stuff which weighs a ton. Hopefully I won't have to repack everything at the check in counter like last time. That sweet JAL lady was surprisingly firm and could not be won round with my charm haha.
My new e- reader touch should come into its own - you can actually buy e-books that are not more expensive than the hard book hand-quilled ones. Must remember to load them ..... should I take the Bolano book as back up though? I only have 20 kilos ....
Got four or five new albums to listen to as well :)
eeek it's past ten - better get packing. I have done nothing yet! But mostly it's all ready.
My new e- reader touch should come into its own - you can actually buy e-books that are not more expensive than the hard book hand-quilled ones. Must remember to load them ..... should I take the Bolano book as back up though? I only have 20 kilos ....
Got four or five new albums to listen to as well :)
eeek it's past ten - better get packing. I have done nothing yet! But mostly it's all ready.
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