11月から新しく外国人講師となりました
マーティン・シャレット講師です。

初来日後の国内旅行で広島を訪れ、日の昇る国、日本の印象をつづってくれました。
マーティン講師にあなたの素敵な観光スポットがあれば教えてあげてくださいね！


Hello everyone!

As a new teacher to SES, I thought it would be a great idea to share my first impressions of the "land of the rising sun". Since I arrived here a few weeks ago, I cannot say that I have seen much of the whole country. However, I am pleased to share my first impressions of Japan.

Of course, one always starts visiting the cities and attractions nearby. For me, that was the city of Hiroshima - the cityscape was taken from the top of Hiroshima castle.

観光といえば広島市内周辺から！広島城から街並みを撮影しました。

Then, I walked through the Shukkeien Park. It was peaceful, harmonious and so well maintained. 

縮景園を散歩しました。穏やかで、調和がとれた庭園です。

 

There, we could see a lot of carps. No wonder why they have fascinated photographers and artists for years.

鯉を見ました。写真を撮る人や芸術を愛する人々を長い間、魅了してきたのでしょう。

Obviously, I had to make a small trip to the famous Island of Miyajima and climb up the hill.

もちろん、宮島にも行ってきました。丘にも登りました。

I hope you enjoy the pictures and that you are having a nice time. What is your favourite place to visit? Would you recommend me some spots?

～アイルランド（ゲール語：エアル）～　（トレイシー講師）

トレイシー講師がこのお盆休みにアイルランドへ旅行に出掛けました。

日本からダブリンに降りたち、4日間エメラルド島を満喫してきたようです。初めてホステルに泊まったり、たくさんのきれいな風景や建物を見て楽しんだようです。夢にまで見たアイルランドの伝統や文化、風景に触れ、ますますアイルランドを好きになったようです。トレイシー講師がアイルランドの素敵な写真をたくさん載せてくれています。どうぞみなさんもアイルランドの風景をお楽しみください。

Éire

(Gaelic name for Ireland)

Hey y'all! It's Tracey! I hope that everyone had a great Obon holiday. What did you do? Where did you go? Wanna know what I did? I went to Ireland! :-) I spent 4 wonderful days traveling the " Emerald Isle "and I loved every minute of it. Shall I tell you all about it?

Before my four day tour began, I landed in Dublin with only enough time to eat dinner and sleep. I did not go sightseeing but it was ok because the main purpose of my trip was to discover the Irish countryside. I stayed in a hostel for the first time. It was an interesting experience but I think that I'll stick with hotels. :-) Here's a brief look into my trip.

Day 1

The day started as I met my tour group at 6:40 am at Dublin Hueston Station. We were scheduled to depart on the 7:00 am train. I was tired after flying for 15 hours the day before, but I was excited too! Once we boarded the train, we headed in a south westerly direction through the countryside of County Kildare, County Tipperary and County Cork. There was a dining car on the train and it was here that I ate my first full Irish breakfast (minus the eggs ..Yuck!). It was delicious! On the first day I went to Blarney Castle (and kissed The Blarney Stone) and the city of Cobh, where I visited St. Colman's Cathedral and the Cobh Heritage Center.

Next stop ... Killarney!

Irish Rail
アイルランド鉄道

Traditional Irish Breakfast
伝統的なアイルランドの朝食

Blarney Castle
ブラーニー城

Kissing The Blarney Stone
ブラーニー石にキス♪

 Colorful Houses In Cobh
コーブのカラフルな家

St. Colman's Cathedral
コーヴ大聖堂

Day 2

After a great night's sleep and another full Irish breakfast, I began my adventure traveling the Ring of Kerry. The Ring of Kerry is a 179 km long circular route in County Kerry. Every stop that we made along the way was beautiful and spectacular! It It was a great day.

Back to Killarney I go!

Dingle Bay

ディングル湾

Kells Sheep Centre

ケルズシープセンター

Caherdaniel
カアーダニエル

Sneem
スネアム

Killarney
キラーニー

Day 3
After dinner with the wonderful people I met on my tour, a great night in a local pub hanging with the natives, and ANOTHER full Irish breakfast, I was picked up from my hotel early to begin the next adventure. On the agenda was Bunratty Castle , the city of Doolin, the Cliffs of Moher, and The Burren. Day 3 was a good day.

Next stop ... Galway!

Bunratty Castle
バンラティ城

Doolin
デューリン

The Cliffs Of Moher
モハーの断崖

The Cliffs Of Moher
モハーの断崖

The Burren
バーレン

Galway (Eyre Square)
ゴールウェイ（エアスクエア）

Day 4

Alas, it was the last day of the Grand Atlantic Tour. As I walked to the train station, I took a few last minute pictures before I met my tour group. We headed out to Connemara, one of Ireland's Gaeltacht (Irish speaking) regions , to view the rugged countryside. The highlight of the day was visiting Kylemore Abbey (and the Victorian Walled Gardens), a Benedictine monastery that was originally a private home built in the 19th century. Our tour then headed back to Galway where I caught the train to Dublin. Like the beginning of my trip, once I arrived in Dublin there was only enough time to eat and sleep (in the same hostel ...) before catching my flight back to Japan the next morning. Although my time in Ireland was short, it was very rewarding. I only dreamed of seeing Ireland before but fortunately, my dream came true. Even though my visit was temporary, the memories will last forever.

Slán ...
(Goodbye in Irish)

Kylemore Abbey
カイルモア修道院

Victorian Walled Gardens
ヴィクトリア朝城壁庭園

THE END !!
終わり！

Matthews Tokyo Obon

～東京でのお盆休み～(マシュー講師)

初めての日本のお盆休みでマシュー講師は東京を訪れました。何かおもしろい変わったものを見つけに、そして友達に会いに行きましたが、何か見つけることができたのでしょうか。靖国神社や原宿など有名どころをいろいろと回ったようです。その中で心休めるところを見つけたようですね。数年前に訪れたときといろいろと変わっていて、また新しい発見もあったようです。みなさんも何度も訪れたい場所ってありませんか。


Hi everyone.

This was my first Obon in Japan and also my first chance to get away from Yamaguchi. Hofu is a great city to live in, clean, quiet and the people are friendly but it’s very normal; so I decided to head to Tokyo to find as many weird and wacky things as possible and to meet some friends.

During this visit I focused on the Shibuya, Minato and Chiyoda areas of the city. Visiting such attractions as Akihabara, the Imperial gardens, the Yasukuni Shrine and Harajuku.

Harajuku is a great area of Tokyo, there are lots of interesting shops that sell lots of different niche products and the people and the environment are very friendly. I was lucky to see a big group of Harajuku girls they were very colourful and stood out against the crowd, in my opinion to spend that much time making yourself look that colourful is impressive.   

原宿にいた女の子

Considering that the bright, noise streets of Harajuku are only about 10 meters from its entrance it seems hard to believe that the Meiji Shrine is as quiet as it is. The shrines grounds are one of my favorite places in Tokyo clean, quiet and very green it is quite easy to forget that you are in the largest city in the world when you’re walking the tree lined paths of the shrine. One of my biggest regrets of the trip to Tokyo was that I didn't get to spend more time at the shrine but considering it took me about 2 hours to walk around the circumference of the grounds and I only just managed to leave before they locked the gates for the night, I think I can be forgiven.

Chiyoda is an impressive area, although I visited the area in 2010 I still find the Imperial Gardens an incredibly impressive sight. The contrast between the tall narrow spaces of the Tokyo streets and the wide open spaces of the Imperial Gardens is impressive enough in its own right but to have that reality thrust upon you by the very defined boarder between the two makes the whole experience almost surreal.

All in all whilst I had a great time in Tokyo and met some lovely people I and my wallet is glad to be back in Hofu. The big city is very nice to visit but I think I would have some reservations about living there.   

友人と

～ルネッサンスフェスティバル～(アリスン講師）

９月に入り段々と涼しい季節になってきました。アリスン講師はこの季節なると故郷の「ルネッサンスフェスティバル」というお祭りを思い出すそうです。それは歴史的なお祭りで、ヨーロッパのルネッサンス時代を祝う祭りのようです。アメリカにいながらヨーロッパの歴史を味わうことができる興味深いお祭りですね。みなさんはどんなお祭りに興味がありますか。


Hello, readers! This is Allison writing. September has started and the weather is beginning to cool off; the chilly nights hold the promise of the autumn to come. The cool weather has got my mind turning to the autumnal activities in which I would be engaged in were I back home. I am from Maryland, USA, and in September one of the most popular events is our state Renaissance Festival. It is a historical festival, celebrating the Renaissance period in European history. I have gone every autumn since I was in middle school and find it to be great fun. There are always many local artisans displaying traditional crafts, such as woodworking, blacksmiths, pottery, leather goods, musical instruments, clothing, and so on. Many booths offer delicious foods, such as turkey legs, candied nuts, cheesecake-on-a-stick, and local honeys. Many forms of entertainment are offered as well: you can watch actors put on comedy skits, live music and dancing, jousting, or get your face painted.

Jousting
馬上槍試合

Actors putting on a skit
寸劇の上演

Costumed attendees
仮装した出席者達

A blacksmith

鍛冶屋

 A girl tries on a floral headdress
花飾りの試着をする女の子

 A shop selling clothing

洋服を売るお店

Foods on offer

売りに出されている食べ物

Minstrals
吟遊詩人の芸

The very special day (from Karina)

～特別な日～(カリーナ講師)

暑い日々も終わり日に日に涼しくなってきましたが、夏休みの素晴らしい経験を思い出してみましょう。今年はカリーナ講師にとって今までにない特別な夏だったようです。日本での楽しい経験やスカイダイビングもそうでしたが、夢にも見た男性との結婚が何よりもカリーナ講師を幸せな気分にしてくれたようです。ロシアでの結婚式はどのようにお祝いされるのか気になりますね。みなさんもカリーナ講師からいろいろとロシアについて聞いてみてはいかがでしょうか。


Hey guys! Summer holidays just flew by and now days are becoming shorter and nights are getting cooler and cooler. But let's go back in time for a moment and remember together with me all the wonderful experiences that you've gotten on you summer vacations.

This year was very special for me, probably the most special ever. Not because I went skydiving for the first time in my life, also not because I could fully enjoy my first summer in Japan with it's beautiful beaches and sunsets. But because I got married to a man of my dreams ;)

We've had a great wedding ceremony in Moscow, and all the preparations for the wedding were done in just five days:) We've had a great mix of Russian and Canadian wedding traditions and it turned out awesome, with a little help of our friends, of course.

that's me and my Mom

カリーナ講師とお母様

my husband

旦那様♪

Baseball

～野球～(マイク・トーマス講師)

マイク講師は地元のうれしいニュースについて語ってくれています。

セントルイス・カージナルス（略称：STL）の本拠地はミズーリ州セントルイスにあり、アメリカMLBのナショナルリーグ中地区所属のプロ野球チームです。そのチームにとってとても良い年だったようです。さらに、イチロー選手についても語ってくれています。イチロー選手がマイク講師のホームタウンでどんな快挙を成し遂げたのでしょう。

みなさんはこのように海外で活躍している日本人選手をどのくらい知っていますか。

Hello readers,

Some happy news back in my hometown St. Louis, MO, USA.  The St. Louis Major League Baseball (MLB) team, the St. Louis Cardinals are having a great year.  While looking at some news about the baseball Cardinals I was pleased to see that a Japanese native MLB player was being recognized for breaking an MLB record.

Ichiro Suzuki (鈴木 一朗) is a Japanese professional baseball right fielder for the Miami Marlins of the Major League Baseball.  Originally a player in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), Ichiro moved to the United States in 2001 to play in the MLB for the Seattle Mariners, with whom he spent 11 seasons.  After that he played for the New York Yankees.

Ichiro has established a number of batting records, including MLB's single-season record for hits with 262. He had 10 consecutive 200-hit seasons, the longest streak by any player in baseball history. Between his career hits in Japan's and America's major leagues, Ichiro stands at second place in all-time in top-flight hits, trailing only behind the great Pete Rose.

I was glad to see that he received a warm response in my hometown.

Mike

Local Cafe Recommendation

～オススメ　カフェ！～(ミッシェル講師）

もうすぐ夏休みも終わりですね。たくさんくつろげましたか。
コーヒーが大好きなミッシェル講師が徳山にあるお勧めのカフェを紹介してくれています。
友達とおしゃべりをしたり、勉強をしたり、軽食を楽しんだりとよく通っているお店のようです。
コーヒーだけでなく、ネコ好きにとってはとても素敵な場所のようです。
近くを訪れた際に一度寄ってみてはいかがでしょうか。みなさんにとっても安らげる空間になるかもしれませんね。


Hello, readers!

Welcome back from a busy Obon season! Summer vacation is almost over, and everyone is heading back to the grind* soon. I hope you had plenty of time to relax! 

As most of you know, I am a big fan of coffee. I spend a lot of time in cafes, chatting with friends, studying, or just enjoying a small meal. Recently, I've been especially fond of a cute, new cafe here in Tokuyama called "Kodama Coffee." 

From the outside, you might not notice the small, corner shop next to a big yakitori restaurant. But once you enter, the smell of roasting coffee is unmistakable. The room is dimly lit, with dark red booths lining the right wall. To the left, a long bar counter offers a number of seat with easy access to electrical outlets. The owner, a tall, slender man with a cheerful smile, welcomes you warmly. 

"Welcome, please sit anywhere you like!"

Sinking into the comfortable booth, you quickly notice the cat decorations all over the shop. From local artist paintings on the walls to the cat-shaped business card holders on the tables, cat lovers will be in heaven! 

Soon, you are offered a glass of water, some small peanuts, and a unique menu of coffees, crepes, side dishes, and desserts. Each month, a new crepe flavor is introduced - sometimes they are designed by customers!

Ice coffee and a savory crepe make a great summer combination.
 アイスコーヒーと塩味をきかせた食事系クレープ

The "Danish pizza" is really delicious. 
デンマークのピザ

This crepe - green tea ice cream, Oreo cookies, and custard creme - was designed by me!
ミッシェル講師デザイン：抹茶のアイスとオレオクッキー、カスタードクリームのクレープ

If you order a hot coffee, the owner may design some "Cat-fe art" for you!
コーヒーを頼むとネコの絵が描いてくれるかも

So cute!!!!!
かわいい!!!

The cafe is located near "Tres" cafe off of Route 2. They are closed on Wednesday. 
場所：国道2号線のトレスカフェ付近　定休日：水曜日

If you have some free time, please check out this great cafe and help to support a local business! Find more information on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/Kodamacoffee?pnref=story  

Do you have any favorite cafes to recommend? 

Until next time! 
~Michelle 

* "Head back to the grind" means to start working hard again after a break. 

～みなさんこんにちは～（マシュー講師）

4月から新しくSESの講師となりましたマシュー講師です。彼はイギリスのヘレフォードシャー州の出身です。今回はその故郷について書いてくれています。イギリスと言えばパブを思い浮かべる人もいるのではないかと思います。ここでマシュー講師は伝統的な飲み物についても触れています。皆さんはパブに行ったらどんなお酒や飲み物を飲んでみたいですか。


Hello everyone!

My name is Matthew Kirby. I come from Herefordshire in England, I actually lived in the middle of the countryside with the nearest city being Hereford about 10-15 minutes’ drive away. I came to Japan at the end of March 2015 to teach at SES. I have been working as an English teacher all over Asia and before SES was a university lecturer in Malaysia.

I have only been in Japan for a short period of time but I am really enjoying being here and I think Japan is the best country I have worked in aboard. Japan is a beautiful country, it's very clean and I feel very safe living here surrounded by such lovely people.

Although Japan is great I have been away from home for just over two years and I miss home very much. Hereford is a very interesting and quite city. Hereford has been around for a very long time with written records mentioning it as early as 676AD and many believing it has been around since before records began.

ヘレフォードシャー橋

Hereford is near the boarders of England and Wales and was once a very wealthy trading center between the old kingdom of Mercia and Wales. Today the area is very agricultural producing a lot of food, mainly apples, potatoes and beef. A very traditional drink in the area is called Cider and is like a beer made from apples.

 

サイダーと呼ばれるリンゴから作られたビール

 

A Golden Week Starbucks Adventure!

～スターバックス　アドベンチャー～（ミッシェル講師）

ミッシェル講師はゴールデンウィークにアリソン講師と関西地区に旅行にでかけました。
大阪、京都、奈良、神戸といろいろ回ったようですが、それよりも楽しかったことがあったようです。
それはスターバックス巡り。大きな都市に行くとたくさんの店がありますが、山口のこのあたりではあまり見かけないようです。大好きなスターバックスに毎日のように通ったみたいですね。
みなさんはコーヒーが好きですか。もしそうなら是非行ってみて下さい。いろんな味にであえるかもしれませんよ。

Hello, readers! And Happy Saturday! It's me, Michelle :)

During the Golden Week holidays, I took a trip with Allison to the Kansai Area. We went to Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, and Kobe, and visited many interesting sightseeing places there.

But for me, the most exciting part about going to a big city is...Starbucks!

The ubiquitous Starbucks logo: a two-tailed mermaid
至る所にあるスターバックスのロゴ：二つの尾を持つ人魚

 Have you ever been to Starbucks? It's a cafe that started in Seattle, Washington in 1971, and has since become the world's trendiest coffee shop. There are many Starbucks cafes in Japan, too.

For Golden Week, I went to a Starbucks almost every day! Their coffee is delicious, and they have rare flavors that other coffee shops don't offer, such as Chai tea and Matcha latte. Of course, their coffee is more expensive than other places - around 500 yen per drink.

European-style Starbucks in Kitano, Kobe
ヨーロッパスタイルのスターバックス（神戸市北野）

Anyway, I also collect "tumblers" (special coffee mugs for traveling) from different places in Japan. Now, I have five tumblers: Tokyo, Fukuoka, Hiroshima, and now Kyoto and Kobe, too. Aren't they beautiful! I think coffee tastes better in these tumblers (hahaha).

My tumbler collection! I hope to find many more!
ミッシェル講師のタンブラーコレクション

Do you like coffee, too? What's your favorite coffee shop?
Please let me know if you like Starbucks as much as I do!

See you soon,
Michelle