Like father Like son

Some people wonder where I get the inspiration from to dress up as a woman… Meet my father a.k.a. ‘Honey Bun’. This was his costume for a recent charity fundraiser he took part in!

How being able to speak Japanese has changed my life in Japan

I’ve been wanting to write this little post for some time. It’s not aimed at people who are perfectly happy not using Japanese whilst living in Japan (which I think is perfectly OK). It’s aimed at those considering studying Japanese. My hope is that it provides at least one person with a little inspiration. It’s […]

Last day of the year: Looking forward to 2009 and beyond

We’re back at *Twinkle*s parents for New Years Eve, as is the tradition when in Japan. This year I won’t be drinking, following a disastrous incident last time when I, along with *Twinkle*s two sisters’ British partners devoured a whole crate of beer between us – most of it went down my throat. I feel […]

Plans for 2009

George and I at work Just one more day of work at the office remains this year. Whilst I usually work alone on Saturdays, taking calls from those students of mine who are unable to call during the week, tomorrow the rest of the office crew will join me. They’ll be turning up in their […]

A peek inside our mansion

A few people have been asking to see our house – and today I finally got around to taking a few shots. The view from the front door. Our flat is basically comprised of two rooms: a kitchen / dining room, and a living / bedroom. There’s also a tiny bathroom, and a separate loo, […]

My dad plays God

Photo courtesy of John Dinnen He’s back on the stage, this time playing God in a ‘Modern Mystery Play‘. Not quite the image I was brought up with – shows how times change 🙂 The reviews are now coming in, and by all accounts it was a sterling performance.  Well done dad. 

Goodbye to England, and Hello to my sister

Here we are then, all set. My big bag is now down to 23kg, my two carry on bags about 500kg each. I’ve checked in online – seat 40k, just behind the right-hand wing, by the window. It’s been a really ‘full’ day. It’s featured a lot of packing and repacking, backing up data, eating, […]

A CELTA weekend, and Family Planning

So this is what a CELTA weekend is like then: study, study and more study (and a very enjoyable 3-hour trip out to the Peak District to see friends – thank you!) It’s been fun though. You know, I think I’m actually starting to get my head around English grammatical terms, after 30 years of […]

Marriage: it’s like a sheep pen on the island of Crete

In the end, I wouldn’t have had it any other way. 6 months apart, followed by 9 days together, then the wedding. It seems to have been a good combination. I recommend it. I’ve been thinking about this feeling I (we) have, this ‘being married’ feeling, and wondering how much it is a result of […]

Father’s efforts finally pay off, netting £1.6 million

Hurrah for my father! In 1990 my dad took up a headship at Staunton-on-Wye Primary school. The school was in long-term decline – there were only 28 pupils, and the local education authority was about to close it down.  When Peter came riding along on his trusty steed (old green Volvo) he declared that the […]

After 14 years they rose again

Anne Tame the artist, at work I’m back on the Welsh garden Project site today. It’s good being here and doing some physical work. My hands smell of cow skin, and I have a delicious feeling of knackeredness. Thought I’d take advantage of the lack of rain and get the chainsaw out; spent an hour […]

Bank Holiday stuff

Every time I come back to my parent’s house I make a point of a) eating mum’s home-made chocolate cake, and b) sorting through the stuff under my old bed to see what of my belongings can be given away. As time passes so it becomes easier to dispose of stuff, and it’s now reached […]

Norwegian Wood, Religious Weddings and the Canvas of Life

Latest addition to my mum’s art portfolio Fascinating, thrilling day today. It is so great to see family after such a long time. I caught the tram at 6.30am, train down to Hereford, bus to Wormelow, car to Orcop. Thoroughly enjoyable journey. Not only did I get to indulge in one of all-time favourite hobbies […]