Author: david

I have had more requests to talk about what exactly it is that I am doing here. So, since I am going to write this, you had better read it.

I work for the Board of Education in Chunan Town, a small town of about 4,700 people in Kagawa Prefecture. Kagawa is located on the smallest of the four major islands that make up Japan, Shikoku. My official title is Co-Ordinator for International Relations (CIR). I plan activities that “internationalize” the community (??) but the majority of my time is spent introducing English to (very!) young children and holding English classes in the evening.

Because I work in the Board of Education, I am (for the most part) treated like a regular employee and have to partake in the Board’s activities. In Chunan-cho [仲南町] (“cho” meaning town) we have four major annual events. [Click on them for the pictures!]

(1) The Volleyball Tournament
(2) The Sports Festival
(3) The Culture Festival
(4) The Concert in the Forest

Right after I finished almost-dying from my fever, we had the culture festival. I setup a display about me (The “David” Display) and about Canada, and entertained children and adults alike with my beautiful blond hair and funny accent.

Here is a sample of the enjoyment I had. Note the picture where they dress me up in the Japanese gear and make me dance around in a traditional dance. I was thrilled and excelled in it like I excel at all of my artistic endeavours.

The highlight of my weekend (and I am being serious) is the whistle I carved from bamboo. That’s right, I carved it myself. It is super.

Look at that! I wrote a whole entry about my life and what I have been up to. And you people complain that I don’t write anything important.

… while I am still debating the point of writing these things (I have decided the site serves a purpose as a picture-repository at the very least) I am in the midst of bringing davidandkiko.com 3.0 online. It will be super. Don’t get too excited, but feel free to provide input. My eventual goal is to have at least a few people check the site regularily.

Just to clear things up: I really like where I live. I don’t enjoy teaching children as much as people here think I do, but I really love the town, the scenery and the people I work with. Kiko is swell too. My colleagues on the JET program are also fantastic. I am going to showcase my friends from back home, from University and from here one day… don’t get too excited …

After a busy (and relaxing) week-long vacation at Kiko’s home on the island of Tanegashima in southwest Japan, we are back in Kagawa. We know you want to see the pictures. (You will note that many of them focus on Hina (5) and Kana (3) our nieces… because they are cute.)

Other than that, not much to report. We got stuck in Kagoshima on the way to Kiko’s island because of a big rain-storm and then high waves. Apparently this is a normal thing and no one seemed to concerned (!!??). We were also treated to a fairly strong Earthquake on our final night which scared the shit out of me… but again, no one seemed to concerned.

Just to wrap things up, some big news.

(1) Look for some more changes to the website! I have thought up a whole bunch of new things to implement which I hope you like… or I hope you use… or I like… or something. The point is, it should look pretty good! Feel free to let me know if things work, don’t work, look good, look like crap. Just let me know.

(2) Shane is fine.

Kiko promised me she would write something again soon… she does check everyday though, so feel free to comment, send your own pictures, write in the guestbook or whatever…

OK, one last update before I go!

This is a picture that Chris Houston (a very close friend) took while he was in China. It seriously makes me laugh every time I see it…

We leave in a few hours for vacation! We will keep you updated!

-Happy Halloween!

That’s right, we are just high-tech enough to be able to provide themes for our website. So, HAPPY HALLOWEEN! I have to thank Chris Butcher whose website (listed in the links section!) inspired me to add changeable themes to the website. Um… thanks!

Bigger News:

From Friday, October 29th until November 4th Kiko and I will be visiting her home, Tanegashima, located in the Southern Part of Japan. We will probably have internet access, but in case we don’t, there won’t be any updates until we get back (and I am sure you will get sick of the Halloween Theme by then!)

When we will get back we should be chocked full of pictures and stuff for the website, so VISIT!

No no no, it’s OK. Don’t worry too much about us. The Earthquake was actually far to the North of us, but I guess you knew that since no one wrote to make sure we were alive!
I am genki, thanks for asking.

Anyways, maybe you have noticed (maybe not) but the website is being updated on a regular basis. We are currently making things easier to read and easier to find, and hope to revamp the picture galleries soon. Things are growing and changing here pretty consistently so feel free to take a look around as there are bound to be things yo haven’t seen yet. Also, write in the guestbook. It is thrilling.

I am planning to change the look of the website every once in awhile depending on holidays and themes. I have also designed a new header (below) and received a guest-drawn header (by my very good friend Chris Butcher) which is way cooler than I could ever do. If you have any ideas on how to improve the site, please e-mail me and let me know.