Category Archives: Ubuyama

Earlier, I erroneously posted a thistle that I thought to be the village flower of Ubuyama called the Higothai. These are pictures of the real flower, which should right now be coming into full bloom. The first two were taken … Continue reading →

I am frustruated with my Board of Education and with a principal with whom I work with, as they are putting me in the worst sort of position. I feel an obligation to help prepare my successor for her new … Continue reading →

I translated this from Japanese last year, and just found it as I was looking through old documents. These are the elementary schools where I have worked for these past two years. Our Village Yamaga Elementary School is located in … Continue reading →

It feels as if I have spent a long, long time in Ubuyama, but I also feel that my stay in your village has passed so quickly. These days are very busy as I pack up my house, make preparations … Continue reading →

Yoshihiro: Dad, do you remember that you said I could have a pet if I brought up my grades? Yoshihiro’s dad: Hmmmm… You have been getting good grades in school. I think you’re ready for the responsibility. You can pick … Continue reading →

This is the Higothai flower, the flower of Ubuyama village. As some of you may know I used to hate bees. They used to sting me quite often. even though I avoided them, they would regularly land on me and … Continue reading →

Makiko, Waka, and Sayuki prepare to whoop some ass.

Today, I walked in to the lunch room and heard the nursery school teachers mumbling my name. They collectively looked up, all of them wearing the same conspiratorial grin and called me a “Casablanca dandy”. Now what the hell does … Continue reading →

The undokai is described as a “sports festival”, and that’s exactly what it it. I had a hard time accepting this term at face value, because the concept was foreign to me, but that’s exactly what it is. The whole … Continue reading →