Omoide B.O.E.

045-Sports Festival

David — Fri, 27 May 2011 04:00:00 +0000

Here is my last illustration for Omoide B.O.E.

The picture depicts an amalgam of various memorable cheers performed by the students at my elementary schools at their sports festivals.

My students were fabulous entertainers! And the student in the middle with the Sailor Moon wig and over the top makeup is a guy.

Thanks to everyone who followed Omoide B.O.E. for the past year!

044-Funny Smile

David — Fri, 13 May 2011 04:00:00 +0000

When I was spoke to the 3rd graders’ teacher after the lesson, she had a funny smile on her face.

When I went to the washroom during recess, and looked in the mirror, I noticed that, under my nose, I had a glob of moisturizer cream that I had failed fully rub in to my skin that morning.

She must’ve thought I had big slimy booger stuck to my face.

043-Akaishi Elementary School

David — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 04:00:00 +0000

On a sunny Sunday afternoon, I asked my supervisor where the best cherry blossoms in town were.

“Akaishi Elementary School,” was his reply.

Akaishi Elementary wasn’t one of my schools so I didn’t know they had so many cherry blossoms trees.

I’m glad I asked. And I’m even more glad that I went and walked around the grounds.

042-Hirosaki Castle Sakura

David — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 04:00:00 +0000

JET Streams 2011

David — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 15:04:52 +0000

My illustration “Always” appears in the 2011 edition of JET Streams, the CLAIR publication with stories, essays, and photos by JET alumni and JETAA International news.

JET Streams 2011 is now available for download from the JET Programme homepage.

041-Monkey on a Bicycle

David — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 04:00:00 +0000

Around this time 8 years ago, I was visiting Iwakuni City in Yamaguchi Prefecture.
At the park there was a monkey performance.

Not only did the monkey ride a bicycle, the monkey walked on stilts, did acrobatics, jumped through hoops, and did samurai battle re-enactments.

A very talented little monkey indeed.

Earthquake & Tsunami Updates

David — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 03:21:19 +0000

For those trying to find loved ones or just find more information about what’s going on in the affected regions, the following links may be helpful:

Japan Local Government Center’s list of JETs in Tohoku whose safety have been confirmed
Google Crisis Response tool for the 2011 Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami
The Consulate-General of Japan’s Earthquake information page
Jewit.com is constantly being updated with information about what’s happening in the affected region and what’s being done about it.

I hope you are all safe

David — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 20:04:41 +0000

Praying for everyone in Japan…

I hope that you and your loved ones are all safe…

040-Graduation

David — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 05:00:00 +0000

I remember my sixth graders at graduation wearing their new junior high uniforms.

039-Hinamatsuri

David — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 05:00:00 +0000

At one of my schools, the graduating grade six class organized a tea party for all the teachers.

They made their own cookies and cakes that they served along with the tea.

They also gave handcrafted gifts to each teacher. My gift was a hina doll set made of paper and felt.

They were a wonderful class.

To the class of 2003, where ever you are, I wish you all the best.