Brent Thomas's Blog, page 32

Fatherhood (1)

I am exhausted. This week began with my camp work ending and my school work beginning. In addition, I needed to step up my share of picking up the our three year old from daycare. Generally speaking, my wife and I try and balance that out, but seeing as how she had to cover for … More Fatherhood (1)

Idolatry Revisited

There is a good chance that f you visit this site regularly, or listen to the Living Japan Podcast that I co-host, you have heard my thoughts on Japan’s booming industry of idol stars. If you haven’t, the short version is that I am not a fan. I honestly cannot think of a single redeeming … More Idolatry Revisited

Planning Fun

I get to wear many hats. Some of the most important ones are when I get to devote myself to being husband and father. Those never really come off. But for work the hard slide around. I suppose my main one is as a teacher. The one I’d like to wear more often is that … More Planning Fun

Grey Feathers

The city is mine. I stroll along the streets, taking what I find. Cats taunt me, but I pay them no mind. They may have claws, but one strike with my beak will send them scurrying. So put up your spikes, trying to control where I rest my wings. how easily you forget that the … More Grey Feathers

Playing Superheroes

I have a three year old son, which means playing pretend is something that happens every day. We go from being dinosaurs to jungle animals to different vehicles. Sometimes this is free choice, but often times he announces our different roles. My wife and i are pretty used to being greeted but a chirpy voice … More Playing Superheroes

Broken Modem

Turns out our modem stopped working the evening I returned from camp. That meant spending far too long on the phone getting NTT to send us a new one. I’m taking that as a sign to keep today light. Grumble grumble.

Snow Camp (4)

As I write this I am stretched out in my own bed. It is a glorious feeling. But I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss camp. Not only the thrill and joy of it, but the people I get to spend camp with. And then there is the fact that I grew up … More Snow Camp (4)

Snow Camp (3)

The third night of our camp is dance party. There is always something magical about watching these kids let loose and boogie. Dancing isn’t always the most natural thing for young kids over here, so watching them be free is just another way of showing that we are reaching these kids. That is all for … More Snow Camp (3)

Snow Camp (2)

The second day of our second session. Combine this with the three days of training and we get less than two weeks. But in that short time I can feel myself growing closer to the new staff and seeing all the wonderful aspects that make me so happy when I see returning staff. There is … More Snow Camp (2)

Snow Camp (1)

Just a mini update. Trying to get this in under the wire. Being from the American south, there is so much about snow that astonished me. On December 26th, our first session, there was so little snow on the ground that we were worried about safe skiing. Now, everything is blanketed in powder. Overnight cars … More Snow Camp (1)