Destination: Japan

Tortise wins the race...again!

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 | By abcarlson | Views [934] | Comments [1]

I got a call from the Shipping Office on Friday, asking me to come in and provide them with maps and paperwork for our first shipment.  We were so excited and couldn't wait to get our own pillows again!  After getting the paperwork straightened out and ... Read more >

Flip

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 | By peter_allen | Views [338]

I just got the email confirming that my short animation 'Flip' has been invited to screen at the Melbourne International Animation Festival. It will also be part of the travelling Australian Animation Festival that tours the country from May. That's ... Read more >

Spring is in the air...and it's wet

Fri, 6 Mar 2009 | By peter_allen | Views [292]

This has been intensive week for ALT-days. I had ALT days at 3 different schools, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday (today). Plus on Tuesday and Thursday I had my regular elementary visit in the afternoon, so I have been unusually busy, which has been ... Read more >

Catching some culture: Osaka's National Art Museum

Sun, 1 Mar 2009 | By kurenai | Views [6414]

My friend and I felt the need for a little bit of culture so we headed over to the National Museum of Art in Osaka. Leaving Higobashi exit 3 (on the blue Yotsubashi subway line) we followed a map directly outside the station to the museum. ... Read more >

Tags: art, china, contemporary, culture, japan, kanji, museum, osaka

Off to Manila

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 | By joblogs | Views [576]

Standing at the airport bus stop in the freezing rain was no fun, but the Japanese believe a little hardship makes you stronger. I don't know about that, but a little shivering on a bus stop would certainly make me appreciate ... Read more >

Tags: flight, manila

Snowy

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 | By peter_allen | Views [372]

It has been snowing all day, lots of snow falling gently but not resting on the asphalt or cement. It's building up on grass and on dirt and leaf litter though. Plus there's a bit sticking to cars. I'm going to Isesaki tonight for dinner, I was going ... Read more >

Three in Tokyo

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 | By peter_allen | Views [362]

So last weekend I caught up with an old friend from Uni. Three (real name Chalisa) was also doing the Masters at Deakin a few years ago when I was there, we worked on a major documentary project together. When i visited Thailand over Christmas 2007 ... Read more >

The cheapest flight I have ever booked

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 | By joblogs | Views [507]

I have been researching some interesting places to visit in the Philippines that don't involve too many internal flights or trips deep into malarial areas.  I booked an internal flight online today that cost 3 pesos. THREE PESOS!  That can't be ... Read more >

Gallery: American Village

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 | By abcarlson | Photo Gallery

Check out that sunset!

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 | By abcarlson | Views [761]

We've been thoroughly enjoying walking the two blocks between our house and the Sea Wall each night so we can sit on the Sea Wall and watch the sun set over the Sea of China.  What a spectacular sight!  Check out some of our photos in the "Sea Wall"... Read more >

Gallery: Sea Wall

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 | By abcarlson | Photo Gallery

Gallery: Three

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 | By peter_allen | Photo Gallery

Laughing with Pirates!

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 | By kurenai | Views [2921] | Comments [1]

The Pirates of the Dotonbori, that is, an Osaka-based improvisation group who put on shows at various venues throughout the year. Think of a local-based “ Whose Line Is It Anyway? ” show and that’s what these guys are except their shows are ... Read more >

Tags: club, comedy, improv, improvisation, japan, osaka

Trip research: Taal Volcano

Sun, 22 Feb 2009 | By joblogs | Views [964]

This is the satellite image of what I saw from the plane that day. It's Taal lake with an active volcano inside. Yes, we plan to climb the caldera. I might not feel the need to get in the sulfurous water however...

Tags: taal, volcano

Why am I going to the Philippines?

Sun, 22 Feb 2009 | By joblogs | Views [684] | Comments [1]

Why not? OK, there's more to it than that. Firstly, last year I didn't go to any new countries. This hasn't happened since 1995. How shocking! I intend to make up for it this year. Secondly, the Philippines is somewhere I have wanted to visit for ... Read more >