Sunday, October 31, 2010

Dr. Sturke wrote on October 30 -- Flew out on time.  missed the typhoon.  They cancelled the rest of the flights for the day after we flew out.  The flight was smooth -- only 12 hours this time.  Very relaxing.  Arrived in Chicago at around 2:30 p.m. Saturday.  Mr. Dahm and I sat in the airport waiting for our flight at around 8:30 p.m.  Really enjoyed Japan.  The people are very friendly and helpful.  I would highly recommend visiting.  Thanks for reading.
Saturday, Oct. 30 - Typhoon is going to be hitting Japan at around 5:30 p.m. We are leaving at 5:00 p.m.  Hoping to fly out before it hits. 

Mr. Dahm, Dr. Haase and me took the train to find a bookstore and sports store this morning.  Raining pretty hard on the streets.  It was fun to finally experience the train on our own.  Guess what?  We made it back on time.  Leaving for the airport at 12:00.
Friday, Dr. Sturke wrote:  October 29 -- Visiting our sister school to the elementary students Maebashi today.  Very welcoming.  Students were practicing their English with us and glad to see us.  The singing by the students was beautiful.  Leaving the school to head out shopping for an hour or so and then farewell dinner tonight with the Japan Forum.  Great day.
Dr. Sturke wrote:  Thursday, October 28 - Leaving on the bullet train today after our meeting with the Japan Forum.  We are taking the train to Hiroshima.  and staying over night there. 

The ride was smooth and fast -- approx. 230 mph.  We arrived in Hiroshima around 8:00 p.m. and had dinner.  Wake up is 6:30 a.m. to start walking around the city.  Taking tons of pictures for all of you ss teachers to share with the students. 

Walking around Hiroshima was a very solemn experience.  Let us bring peace to the world like Sudoko tried to begin the chain with cranes.  Met a group of students who were from an elementary school visiting the site as well.  Lot of students on fieldtrips in the museum. 

Back to Tokyo on the bullet train.  I hope all of you enjoyed your day off.
Dr. Sturke wrote this on 10/25/10
Good evening.  It is about 9:50 p.m. on Monday,  We are having a nice time.  Seeing quite a few sites of Tokyo.  We visited Osaki HS this afternoon and had a nice welcoming assembly by the admin, staff and students.  Toured the school.  Interesting structure -- it was built to withstand earthquakes.  Wow... had a very nice authentic Japanese lunch and dinner today.  Tomorrow I am off to the junior high with my translator.  Take care.  I hope all of the eighth graders are giving their best on the WKCE.  Remember make us proud of you and your reputation. 
Dr. Sturke wrote this on 10/26/10    Tell Quintin I have not seen other races at the two schools I have visited.  I have tried raw fish, rice, ramen, tempura, seaweed and other items that I didn't recognize.  They were all good.   :-)  Yes they do have McDonalds but they offer Japanese as well as American Foods.  I guess my hotel is by the Japan Disneyland.  Cool huh?  I have not formally met the students that did a home visit at your house .  They may be from Maebashi which is the school we will be visiting next.  Have fun and keep asking questions.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Kita city school district

Good morning
Well Mr Dahm along with Ms Ando, my translator, and Mr. dahm's translator visited kit city elementary and junior high school Tuesday. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I participated in their English class while the students practiced their English on me as well as conversation style. Certainly was a good time. The students were very friendly and welcoming. I also ate their Japanese lunch that was provided with the students in a different classroom. Very enjoyable. I am really slow at using chopsticks so it took me a while to eat lunch. In the evening our host grasiously took us to a fancy restaurant where we had our own room for dinner. I am being introduced to many different foods.

I hope eighth graders that you are taking the Wkce test seriously. The school that I Visited today also was testing for the Tokyo Metropolitan Area. Well I am off to a meeting with the Japan Forum and after that will be taking the bullet train tot Hiroshima. Enjoy your day.

Take care,
Dr. Sturke