Enkais

When you arrive in Japan and join any group or organization you will definitely have several enkais to attend. Now an enkai is a drinking party normally held at the start and end of work period. Basically it's a party as a pat on the back for a job well done or a here's to the season ahead kind of gathering.

An enkai is highly anticipated by everyone as a chance to unwind after a long and perhaps stressful work period and just relax and have a good time with workmates. For me I really love them not just because I get to see people red in the face drunk but the event really helps people to loosen up and have a really good time. I love it especially when the quiet teachers let loose and have a great time.

It's definitely not an event to be missed.

Bye bye tropical warmth. Hello Japanese cold.

One thing that any caribbean person moving here will have no choice to deal with is the cold. Like many of the caribbean alts that arrived with me this will be out first winter experience.

For some their winter experience will drastically differ from others. Many of my counterparts have strategically opted more southern locations not just for what can be found there but the milder winter season as well. I however opted to go north and with that choice comes the bitter cold.

I have to admit I was lured here by he snowboarding and other winter activities. The way I see it, if you're going to be cold, might as well get the most out of it. From the beginning of autumn the temperature drastically from a comfy temp of 22 C to l0 C with lows of 2 degrees. I guess I'm a little strange but I went from dreading the temperature to absolutely loving it.

Maybe I'm just a big kid at christmas but I'm excited by every new experience. Seeing snow on the mountains, seeing my breath in the air still makes me giggle and I love winter wear. Everything is still so new to me. I wonder if I'll get winter blues? Hmmmm

My School

On the JET Programme, Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs) are assigned to a school or in my case four schools to assist Japanese Teachers of English (JTEs) with the instruction of English lessons. Three of my schools are Senior High Schools (ages 16- 18) and my fourth school is a special education school. As important as my role is to teach English, it is equally important to teach my culture to students in as many ways as possible. Being a Barbadian and the first Caribbean person ever placed in my schools and in my particular area a great emphasis is placed on teaching my national and regional culture.