Results

Just before Christmas I passed my 6th kyu Karate test.

I also passed Part 1 (of 6) of the CLAIR Beginners Japanese Course. I'm retaking it because I failed last year for sending in a result too late. Oops.

After submitting photos for the JET Calendar Competition last July I'm pleased to say one of my pics has been selected for the 2011 Calendar. My "Snow tree" pic, taken last January in Nozawaonsen is the photo for January. I was rather chuffed to walk into school last week and see the teachers had put a copy of the calendar up with a congratulatory note. Thankyou Vice-Principal.

6th kyu passed!

Today I passed my 6th kyu Karate test. Woo! It was tough work in the heat, the test being held between 1 and 3 in the afternoon, the hottest part of the day (and the heat and humidity here is abnormally high this year). Still, がんばった、ね。

Next stop, 5th kyu in late Autumn!

7th kyu passed!

I passed my 7th kyu Karate test today, woohoo! The test comprised of three parts. First, kihon, which is performing the 7th level punches, blocks and kick. Second, kata, is a series of punches, blocks and kicks in a sequence (click here to watch a vid of it at youtube). Third, kumite, chudan and jodan blocks are performed with an attacking partner.

Next stop, 6th kyu in August!

New activities - 英会話と空手

I've just started Karate again, woo! I did it for a couple of years as a kid but then my attention wavered, as it will when you're young. On Thursday I went along to a local dojo with most of Iida block and we had a great (and sweaty!) time. A lot of the basic blocks and attacks I remember from before, so I found it a little easier having that experience. Think I'll alternate and do the classes once one week, twice the next, just to give myself a break between weeks. That should give me more than enough time to prepare for my first grading in December.

I now teach my eikaiwa (adult english class) every other Tuesday. Yesterday I was visited by my eikaiwa group leader Hagiwara-san, who seems very nice, polite, and is excellent at english. He came in and we had a long chat about lots of things, and he offered his help should I ever need it.

Moving to Japan was a great move - I've met so many great people and had so many great experiences... I've only been here a few weeks!