Who held Havelange's gongs, Nagano 1998?

Before Jim could join the evening's social event - the nomihodai at the beer garden with some of our adult friends and students, he was soundly thrashed at Scrabble by Misaki-chan. Looks like we'll need a bigger table next time? Well done Misaki, but please remember to give your brain recovery time as well (not from the game, from your exams swotting).

As for the beer garden, it looks like they have changed their employment policies, and gone for the oldest, slowest, most hassled looking snaggleteeth they could find...it's very awkward drinking against the clock on a hot evening with every intention on enjoying yourself when you feel bad asking someone's granny to hurry up with those beers you ordered ten minutes ago, and feeling even worse when she does eventually totter along and they look like lead weights for her to carry - and they're only half-full. What do you do?!

Well, make the best of it and deploy several 'waitresses' with multiple orders, and snag any stray beers on the way past as well, just in case. By the way, I can't see why we 'have to' order food to qualify for the beer. First of all, it's crap food. Second, if I wanted food I'd go to a food garden, not a beer garden. Shoe shops don't make you buy socks, do they? Whinge, whinge, Jim?

They tried to overcharge us! They tried to throw us out 40 minutes early (and our first order took 15 minutes to arrive! The oyaji owner bowed at who? Jim booked the table! Snarl!

The beer, when it arrived, was cold enough and easy to finish (as the glasses were not full!) we soon discovered Nunung's secret occupation, Naomi's secrets, Yumi's secrets, Tomoko's secrets, the colour of Simon's underwear...and absolutely nothing about Swedish girls hitch hiking in Australia :)

We must do this again soon (different location, perhaps?) - before Bon Bon we hope!

*Answer to the title question = Yumi, delivered all the Gold medals during the Winter Olympics on a cushion for President Crook.

Experience lesson - Jim can do toddlers lessons!

Old Jimbo doesn't get in many class photos...

Yukari's "one coin" policy is proving popular, and also a lot of fun. Our nice big classroom is a very bright, warm and adaptable space. Today it became a bus, as we sang ourselves silly a la "Wheels on the Bus". We used Devon's version to prime everybody, then the full speed version to get the juices going (if you have an iPod Touch/iPhone/iPad, get yourself this as an app from Duck Duck Moose - and while you are at it get all their other apps - your kids will absolutely love them!)

The average age of our initiates was one and a bit years old, and all of our mums were keen to join in too (important!). Jim made sure they did, doing the gestures to other songs like "How's the Weather" and participating in "What's the time, Mr. Wolf?" Mums also had the chance to meet Simon and Eriko, who both wanted to join in the fun.

And a quick note: Jim is not "Employee of the Month" - Yukari is.

Barb Sakamoto presents for OUP Kids` Club

Karl fluffs the audience

I can`t think of a better way to have christened our new premises, than by having Oxford University Press and their Kids` Club Tour present for us on Sunday April 3rd. I am, as always, deeply indebted to OUP for their eternal support and good faith. Luna is a small fish in a very large pond, but we are constantly encouraged by the magnificent efforts of this quietly spoken publisher - which for my money holds most of the EFL/ELT trump cards.

We were originally scheduled to have Setsuko Toyama come and present on their behalf; we can`t blame her daughter for getting engaged, can we?! Thank you Barbara Sakamoto for stepping not only into that breach, but for the second one as well. Two presentations back to back was a champion performance, especially given Karl & I were less than attentive on the PC/projector end of things (sorry Barb!).

Koichi re-introduces himself to Yukari

That OUP would send no less than 26 boxes of materials to back up this event was awesome (if heavy). These guys do not mess about! As well as my good friend Karl, my wife`s first English teacher Koichi supported the presentation, and it was lovely to see him looking so well and professionally on the ball. It is hard to believe he has now been with OUP for a decade since his boss interviewed him in the Suissei Club - oh yes, Koichi is a Matsumoto lad!

Barb knocked the house out with her left-right combo on Sunday; and to a very attentive full house. I am deeply grateful for all our JALT friends for pushing the message and turning up in good numbers; apologies accepted from quite a few with flu. Please take a very good look at http://www.slideshare.net/barbsaka/little-tech-for-big-results

Naomi does art a la Barb

Fortunately, our technological glitches merely enhanced the presentation; if we can over come, so can every teacher! Barb`s presentations included lots of clear, simple and real uses of teacher-friendly (and very student usable) tech in and around our classrooms. I was very glad the likes of Naomi & Simon got involved..world class opportunities do not come knocking at our door everyday! I was even more delighted that mums came to join in as well - well done Michiyo!

Thanks everyone for participating - nice to see some new faces as well as familiar ones. Most especially a thank you to Barb; grace personified even in the rough company of English lads on a Saturday night....very much in control of your stage at Luna. Thank you @barbsaka  You ROCK!

I am sorry this took a while to post everyone - I have been away in Indonesia/Osaka and it has taken me a while to "catch up". Jim