Timothy Baril

Teaching in Japan
JET Programme - 2nd Year
Today, due to a compressed schedule thanks to Culture Festival preparations, 1st year classes were not split in half as they normally are. The resulting larger than normal class proved to be less well behaved than normal, and entirely uncontrolled.
Since arriving from elementary school some four months ago, [...]

I Found it in Japan
I stand beneath the blossoms of famous cherry trees, delicate pink and white petals fluttering all around me in the light breeze. The sun shines bright and clear overhead, and the air is warm on my bare skin. Through the trees I see the river meander slowly by, deep and heavy, [...]

My “tentative” Summer Schedule. It’s only April and the summer is shaping up to be busy and very active!! (And expensive - ouch!) Can’t wait to get out and have some fun. This should make up for the quiet winter when the cold and rain keeps people indoors. Thankfully the JET Programme allows plenty of [...]

ポールダンス・アーティストバニラ（大阪）.

Pole dance lessons from one of Osaka’s top dancers. Very interesting!

I’ve officially re-contracted with the JET program to extend my tenure in the Moriguchi City, Osaka Prefecture school system in Japan. I will be staying at least until Summer 2010.
While I came to Japan for my own experiences, I find myself increasingly motivated by the students I spend time with. I see a system in [...]

Living, working and settling into Japan have not just been a breeze - it’s been a blast!
People make the place. It doesn’t matter if you’re stuck in a dung heap of a dilapidated slum, or the most famously exotic and rich neighborhood. Your environment is just your environment, it’s the people you interact with that [...]

Osaka-fu, Moriguchi-shi
JET Programme
When you arrive in Japan, everyone tells you: For internet, go to YahooBB, that’s what “everyone” does. But don’t bother until you get your permanent Alien Registration Card, because they won’t sell you internet access until you do. So the majority of new teachers sit on their ass, follow the herd, and wait. [...]

Wicked sweeeeeeeet!!
Thanks to some awesome awesome help from Kazue, I’ve got a ticket to A-Nation, one of the biggest, most popular concert festivals in Japan. Saturday, August 23 - I can’t wait! This is going to be such a killer experience, watching some of Japan’s coolest musical acts, mobs of people, all under the hot [...]

JET Programme
Osaka-fun, Moriguchi-shi
August 2008
I’m jacked up. I turned on the comp and I’m gettin free net. Don’t know where from. Don’t know why, but I’m going to use it.
I’m in Moriguchi-shi now, living in my new apartment. Here’s how the first 7 days have broken down so far:
Day 1 - July 27
Arrival in [...]

I’ve been posted to the city of Moriguchi, in the prefecture (”province”) of Osaka. Osaka is the second largest city in Japan, and historical rival to Tokyo. Moriguchi is a suburban satellite city. I will reside approximately a 30 minute train ride from downtown Osaka. Ironically, sort of exactly the same type of arrangement as [...]