KIMinKAMIKAWA

For those of you who didn't read KIMinKamikawa... let me explain. I spent three years in Kamikawa, Hokkaido, Japan. Kamikawa is the sister town to Rocky Mountain House, Albeta, where I lived and taught for over 30 years. When I piked up and left Canada, I wanted to document my experiences. You can read about them here.

I GOT A "D"

So in Japan, employees are required to do a Health Check for their employers. So that is the first thing. In Japan your medical records...

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MUGGY

I love this word! I do not love what it means! I have had fun teaching it to many people over the last few weeks! UGH! Soooooo HUMID! I...

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Happy Belated Canada Day!!

FINALLY FINISHED WITH CANADA DAY EVENTS!! This past couple of weeks have been super busy preparing to share CANADA with many different...

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SCHOOLS OUT!!

As the school year wraps up next Friday, I have been reflecting on my experiences at Kamikawa High School. On March 1st I said goodbye to...

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BLANKET OF SNOW

Today is -23 in Kamikawa! This is not something that happens often; probably less often than -40 in Alberta! And yes, there is still...

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MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM JAPAN メリークリスマス (Merikurisumasu)

You Canadian types are just finishing up Boxing Day! So Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all!! Most people in Japan have never...

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WINTER IN JAPAN

I know… 40+ with the wind chill in Rocky Mountain House… snow and freezing rain ruining Christmas for so many in Canada - but - the snow...

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LIFE IN JAPAN

When I looked at my blog I was surprised by how anxious I was, just remembering how I felt at Lake Toya near the end of September… I feel...

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UNDER ARREST??

REUNITED AND IT FEELS SO GOOD !! Mark (my husband) joined me in Japan two weeks ago yesterday! When he let Brayden and Carter (our sons)...

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OOPS… I DID IT AGAIN!

So here I am - in Asahikawa - ready for a weekend of BAND GEEK time listening to bands at the Civic Concert Hall - YAY! I even left work...

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It Has Been 18 Days Since My Last Entry...

It’s been 18 days since my last blog entry…. It feels like an eternity… I had two solid (14 days) of really good days - some great days,...

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READ TO THE END

Wow… the last two weeks have been… interesting? Intense? Exhilarating! Disappointing… kind of like a roller coaster! I sang Karaoke with...

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It Has Been A While - Are You Still There?

For those of you who are still following - HELLO - Konichiwa from Japan! I am still here - and I am doing okay, all things considered! I...

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HIGH SCHOOL

I am into my second week of participating in the high school English classes. There are many similar things but also many things that...

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Happy Birthday To Me

Today was my birthday, the first one I celebrated in Japan! I turned 57 today. I am SO grateful for technology! I spent a virtual hour...

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NICKY TO THE RESCUE

Okay - I cannot possibly wait to write this… those of you following are aware that I have had a few frustrations with right hand drive in...

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Happy Mothers Day!

Happy Mother’s Day in Canada tomorrow to all my fav mummies out there! I have now officially celebrated my first Mother’s Day in Japan. I...

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ROAD TRIP

My new friend, Nicky-san, invited me on a “Road Trip” for Golden Week. Sapporo is less than 300 kms from Kamikawa but the speed limits in...

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GOLDEN WEEK

As I have already teased on Insta, the reunion has taken place! After 4 years I have reunited with half of the Koshino family!! I was SO...

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OISHI

I have been in Japan almost 2 weeks… and any of the good Japanese food I have had has come from other people. There is a new hot dog...

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STINK BUGS

YES!!! I have car! No - I do not have insurance… but yes - I have still driven said car. It was said to me to be careful… insurance might...

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TOWN HALL

PART ONE First day of work! I will start each week in the best way possible - FaceTime with my mum. It is 4:30pm on a Sunday when I speak...

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FAKE BEER

It’s Sunday - tomorrow I go to work. My friend Charles introduced me through email to a lovely lady named Nicky. She came today and...

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Time to Unpack

As I walked around my new home, I realized that all my appliances had Japanese characters for directions. Did I mention that I cannot...

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Getting Started

My first morning in the Calgary airport was spent panicking about possible rechargeable batteries in my luggage??? Have you seen...

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Why KIMinKamikawa

As I sat listening to a woman from the Rocky Kamikawa Friendship Society speak at a staff meeting… trying to compel a teacher to take...

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