NHK Enkai

End of year gathering for my NHK class last night was a lot of fun, with everyone over indulging suitably.



The China Trip Bar was a good choice of venue, as the food was good and the nomihodai a good deal - without the hassle you can sometimes get. Takeshi, Masa & I got stuck into the draft lager while the girlies ordered the usual bizarre range of chu-hi's, sours, teas, etc.

Takako dropped by to add glamour but couldn't stay because she has a test today - ambitions of a job in Singapore sounds very worthwhile!



Our old classmate Machiko was also able to join us with her lovely son Ryotaro, who spent the evening on my knee eating & getting tickled. Well-behaved children are a pleasure & especially invited to the pre-school!

No more classes this year for NHK (Luna is open until the 22nd) so Merry Christmas Ayaka, Chisato, Teruki, Masa, Takeshi, Toshimasa, Miyako, and Hana-chan. Thank you for being such a pleasant group to teach.

Saturday night party

Must be something about the time of year - another round of beers and food with classmates and colleagues!

Tonight a tried and trusted Chinese restaurant in town, with my NHK brigade. I managed to have a good chat with Takeshi and Chisato this evening, and we schemed to visit NZ soon. Masa met Tana, and managed not to ask her anything about South Africa in English - a shame as he is going there in March. This evening we were probably saying goodbye to Akane again, who has to move back to Kofu. We will miss you, so make sure you come back for the summer BBq at least?

We were delightfully served by a top secret waitress, who usually shouts 'hello' at me, but was a bit quieter tonight - think she was worried I'd dob her in!

A fun night out again, thank you guys - cold rainy walk home though!
(More photos here)

Enkai season

Oh yes, the cold wintry nights are upon us, and with them the season of parties and red noses!

I was invited to join a lovely gaggle of ladies I have been teaching lately to celebrate (I think?) the end of their course. They were in good spirits by the time I managed to get there - I couldn't get off work any earlier. They had enjoyed the Tapas menu fully, by the looks of it.

It is always nice to see students away from the classroom and to be able to interact fully. Of course we had a ni-ji-kai (very civilised Japanese habit of kicking on for a "second" party) and I managed to catch up on the drinks. So much so, I found the Hagen Daaz I bought on my way home still in my pocket, unopened, the next time I wore my warm coat - three days later. Should I eat it...this is the question!