Starting on the 21st November with our official joint birthday party (as Craig’s birthday is on the 26th, and mine the 22nd) this was undoubtedly the longest birthday I have ever had. The past two years I’ve planned and held parties at home , so its quite strange to not be remotely involved in the planning of any of it this year. I was told two weeks prior that this was when my birthday party was and I should probably come along. Anyway, so the first party was mainly with students of our respective English classes, who make up the bulk of the people we are involved with on a regular basis anyway. Kenzo and Oumouri-san plus Hiromi and a few others from the Board of Education made an appearance. There was a pair of girls who were joining our class the following week who had been invited along to meet everyone. One of which I could have sworn I knew. Which I in fact I did, Craig and I had met them whilst rather drunk at our Welcome party two weeks prior. Whoops, nice introduction, a good long grope. So that was pretty funny. The star studded event was held in “The Japanese Room” at the Sogo centre. The feast provided by the guests I believe, and as usual there was a despicable amount of leftover really good food. Of course they couldn’t resist showing “Hokkaido chu Hizakurige” (Our TV Show) at the party. Followed by the never ending stream of presents, so that again I was rather embarrassed by people’s generosity. It was a really nice party actually, definitely a change from the party I would have had at home! I haven’t had that many presents since I was about 8 years old. Other highlight had to be the spelling they came up with for Craig on his cake “Kuratagu”. Genius. We only had the room booked until 9pm so the party was cut a little short and moved on to the only Karaoke bar in Toya. Unfortunately not many people could come, and the Karaoke machine was a little antiquated to say the least. Still, Karaoke is fun whatever. And only having old songs just means more Queen, which nobody ever gets tired of listening to song very poorly…
All the way up until the 26th we were thrown parties. At the schools, nurseries, and of course the obligatory trip to the Guten Tag for Craig’s big day. Party at the elementary school was particularly nice, card from every students and a hand made present. (Mine was a cardboard box with a cardboard Pikachu on the top, and of course a Japanese flag to make it complete) I couldn’t help but laugh when I saw it, but I was touched. J No birthday can be celebrated without doing something traditional though. So off to Sapporo it was the weekend after for real celebration!
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January 24th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
Hello,
I`ve been trying to contact you but can’t find your mail adress anywere. I would like to contact you on the behalf of KidsCall, the international Kids- and Youth Campaign of the World Future Council.
I saw what your doing in Japan and that you are working with children at school.
Please contact me, I would like to talk to you!
Below you find information about the World Future Council and the KidsCall Campaign
Introducing the World Future Council
A global forum working to protect the rights of future generations
The World Future Council is a new voice in the global political arena – one that draws on our shared human values to champion the rights of future generations, and works to ensure that humanity acts now for a sustainable future.
The Council itself is made up of 50 respected personalities (amongst them are the Mayor of Hisroshima, Tadatoshi Akiba, and Prof. Motoyuki Suzuki, Chairman of the Central Environmental Council of Japan ) selected by a global consultation process that aims for a broad representation by geography, expertise, gender and age. The Council’s decisions and recommendations are facilitated and promoted by the international WFC staff in consultation with our expert commissions and advisors.
The WFC challenges decision-makers everywhere to close the action gaps that separate humanity from a sustainable and peaceful future.
KidsCall – Save Life on Earth!
An international Youth Campaign on climate change from the World Future Council
The World Future Council’s KidsCall campaign offers young people around the world the opportunity to demand the renewal of the age-old generation pledge to ensure adults bequeath a clean planet with sufficient natural resources to their children.
Climate change and accelerated environmental destruction have severe consequences for life on earth. Despite unprecedented knowledge, skills and resources, we are on a collision course with our own future. KidsCall advocates children’s rights to a just and secure world.
Under the patronage of Bianca Jagger, chair of the World Future Council Executive Committee, the KidsCall campaign was successfully launched in July 2007 at the Live Earth concert in Hamburg.
It appeals to young people, the future generations to confront powerful politicians with their hopes and fears about climate chaos and environmental damage by sending in letters, photos, videos and drawings. All these messages will be collected in a special P.O. Box and on the campaign website. They will be handed over to the responsible politicians at the G8-Summit in Japan in July 2008. The World Future Council is convinced that international decision makers have to respect and acknowledge the demands of the youth for sustainable policies in order to set the course for a fair and safe future on earth.
KidsCall is aiming at spreading the message as wide as possible, giving children a voice for their future. We think that your school has been sensualised on environmental issues. We would therefore be delighted to receive messages from you.
January 25th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
It is nice to know you are well and enjoyig Japan. I am sure you enjoyed the day thoroughly. Very belated Happy Birthday! ! from me. I hope you are spending some time to study in your busy spare time.
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January 25th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
It is nice to know you are well and enjoyig Japan. I am sure you enjoyed the day thoroughly. Very belated Happy Birthday! ! from me. I hope you are spending some time to study in your busy spare time.