Time for a much needed rest ...

It's Christmas Eve and I am sitting at the kitchen table at my parent's place in Adelaide and for the first time in a long time, I have nothing to do, which is absolute bliss. I arrived yesterday, after a brief turnaround in Tokyo from the 6 day school trip to Cambodia. It was a great success as the students fully engaged in all the activities and were a delight to watch as they worked with the local children. I hope that this is the first of many authentic service trips to this amazing country.
Photos of the trip

In early December, Mihoko and I had a weekend at one of the lakes at the base of Mt Fuji. The time out of the city was much appreciated and we were lucky to have a clear day to enjoy a bike ride.

We also stumbled across a traditional tonkatsu shop 

and enjoyed the delicious crumbed pork, fish and potato. 

 

 

So now, I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year and safe travels, wherever you may be.

Christmas illuminations in Tokyo

I am still here

Apparently, year two in a new school is easier! I am still waiting for this to be apparent, but at least I know what is coming up and I am enjoying it all.

Apart from school there have been quite a few fun/exciting things happening:

I have had visits from friends, Phil and Vicki, Meredith S and Sally and Nic. It has been great showing them around and discovering new places as well.
   

With the Grade 9's, I have climbed Mt Fuji and had a photo shoot in a kimono.

Been to a couple of great stage productions.

Been to the beach for a weekend.

Bought a new bike and enjoyed a couple of rides around town.

                             

Spent at evening at the US Embassy hanging out with the Heads of NASA and a couple of astronauts

Visited Thailand, for a couple of days on the beach and then attended the EARCOS leadership conference in Bangkok, where I gave a presentation.

 

 

And, of course, eaten some amazing meals!

As the leaves and the snow on the mountains begins to fall, there are 4 weeks until our Winter Break but the first week will involve me leading a group of 13 Grade 9 students and 4 other adults on a trip to Cambodia, to visit the school that Nishimachi has been supporting for the last 16 years. So, at the moment it is non-stop planning.

  

The end of July means - back to school ..

So, another holiday has come to an end and tomorrow, back to school I go; but we don’t have students until the 24th.

This break included family time both in Australia and Belgium. I visited Adelaide for a week to spend time with the oldest and younger members of the family and then to Leuven (via Paris) for the wedding of my oldest niece, Hannah. This was a lovely casual garden affair and a great celebration.
Photos of Paris and Leuven

The rest of my time was spent in two countries that I had not previously visited, Estonia and Finland and I loved them both. I did hit the jackpot with the height of their summer and the temperature was a glorious 22 degrees most days! The perfect travelling weather.

As I well and truly needed a break, with little taxing brain activity, I spent most days walking whilst taking in the beauty of the architecture as well as the design, the parks and bays and the food. Walking barefoot and lying on the grass was a true delight.

I found Tallinn to be quite edgy - the Russian influence was very visible in its suburban houses, and the old town was stunning but the new creative areas are really thriving, as is the  food culture.

More photos of Tallinn

The history of design in Finland is quite remarkable and I enjoyed learning more about the impact their designers have had on the world and continue to do so! The city is also very easy to get around and is dotted with parks, and rocky outcrops, on which the locals and I enjoyed the sunshine.   More photos of Helsinki

 

  

A strong finish ..

It is official - the school year is done. There was plenty of work to be done right to the very end but I am very proud to say that a huge impact has been made and it was a very positive finish.
Next year will not be easy, but at least I know how the systems, events and people work, so that is a big step ahead.

Highlights over the last few weeks have been rice planting with the Grade 5’s and our sister school. This is indeed a muddy job, but I now know how they achieve such straight rows - with a guiding piece of string!

 

I also had a weekend away in Karuizawa, which is in the mountains an hour north of Tokyo on the shinkansen. A couple of my friends run a half marathon but I just enjoyed being in the countryside, with its quiet and greenery and the local specialty - soba noodles.

                                        
The Grade 9 Graduation is a very big affair, and it all went smoothly and the girls looked great in their kimonos. I have promised that I will wear one in my last year!!

                                                       
There has still been plenty to do and see, out and about, but now I am really for a lot of rest and relaxation in Australia and Europe.

   

The unexpected colours of Tokyo

Colour and culture have been highlights of the last few weeks, as has a distinct change in the weather, so the shorts and t-shirts are now back out on show.
The cherry blossom came and went and was spectacular, but I have been just as impressed by the spring blooms around the city. I never excepted to see such abundance of flower beds and streets lined with hedges of azaleas.
Photos of the cherry blossom

I have managed to go to three amazing exhibitions displaying the work of Yayoi Kusama, David Bowie and 21st century athletes. The Coldplay concert was another highlight, as has visiting some tranquil parks and seeing the displays for children's day.


       
The highlights at school have been working with our learning consultant from the UK, finalising our recruitment for next year, attending the middle school drama and spring concerts, interviewing the Senior Vice President of Google, who is an alumni of the school and being up close and personal with Prince and Princess Akishino at the IB Conference! The big fundraising Gala evening was also a blast - so many laughs and so much dancing. So, there is never a dull moment.

There are now only six weeks until the end of the school year - how it has flown and yet so much has been achieved! Happy days...

It's all work

It is time for another break - a week of Spring Break, and how pleased I am that the days are finally starting to warm up. It is a true delight to be able to go out without a coat and to see the flowers that are in bloom.

School has certainly continued to consume most of my time but good progress is being made and some exciting developments are not too far away. Since the end of January I have also had a trip to Singapore to accompany 12 students to an International Drama Festival, have a week in the snow with the entire middle school and also make a quick three day trip to Amsterdam to attend a conference on Intercultural Learning and the 2030 graduate. So, there is plenty of variety - but it is work!!

My knee prevented me from skiing, as downhill was the only option but it was great to see how the students interacted so well and to just admire the amazing scenery. The students really do not know how lucky they are. There was plenty of snow,  and the runs basically empty.

When the time and energy permits, I am still enjoying walking to different areas of the city, often to investigate different coffee shops and restaurants and to different festivals. This week, I will be heading to couple of exhibitions, attending the world IB Conference in Yokohama and hopefully having an hanami party under the blossom of a cherry blossom.