Rice Planting in Japan

Planting rice the old fashioned way was back breaking labor.  A single field would take hours to plant.  With the help of modern technology, that job has been drastically cut.  

This past May, I had the opportunity to help out my girlfriend's family plant rice.  It looks like all I did was screw around and make a video but I can assure you that I actually helped out in this process!  You'll see me for about ten seconds in the entire video!  Next year, they offered me the chance to drive the machine.  I don't think anyone likes doing it.  Sadly, I missed the chance to watch the rice harvesting which is just as fascinating.    

Korea 8 of 9 - 경주시 (Gyeongju)

I can't believe that it took me over a month to put this video together. Usually, I can toss something of the same length and quality together in less than a week. There are other things more important than sitting behind a computer screen in my free time slaving away at videos I get pennies for. Example: my sanity.

Of course, I love making these videos and I'm grateful that other people enjoy them. Thanks for watching them if you do. Also, thanks for understanding that I have other obligations that I need to attend to.

Korea

New Years is approaching here in Korea and I will be here to welcome the new year. A lot has happened in the past year. My life has changed. It's always nice to look back and reflect on everything that has happened as well as start a new, with a fresh year ahead.

Next week I will have my feet on Japanese soil and will inform all of you on my short stay here in Korea.

Started the TEFL course

I began my TEFL course today and here is how it looked...

Day One 10/5/09
11:44 in - read introduction
11:49 introduction completed
11:50 begin Unit 1
12:08 finished reading material unit 1
12:08 break
12:45 begin Unit 1 worksheet
13:01 break
13:34 back to Unit 1 worksheet
13:51 break
13:54 back to Unit 1 worksheet
14:13 break
14:37 back to Unit 1 worksheet
15:00 Unit one completed

I decided to log my time to see if I end up with the 100 hours they say it will take. I haven't added up the time but it looks like it took somewhere between 1.5 - 2 hours of actual work. The reading goes quickly but its the questions that take some time. You're not obliged to turn in your answers per unit but I'm trying to be thoughtful and really put effort into each question. Before I go to sleep, I'll probably read through the section a couple of times, just to help retain the information even more.

There is a total of 20 units, so if I dedicate myself to it, I should be done somewhere around the 25th of October. Application deadlines for employment within the school system in East Asia is usually around mid December. That offers me plenty of time to get certification and look for work.

Hopefully, I'll be somewhere over there by Mid-March.

This also means that there will be somewhat of a pause in TWJ episodes. I'd rather focus on this instead of my series. But its ok, it shouldn't be too long of a pause. I'll keep you all posted.