Coming to work at Mizunami Junior High-School today I noticed that many of the teachers were dressed in dark suits and black ties. A black tie is a mournful expression here, and usually worn to funerals. I was informed that one year ago today one of the second year girls had committed suicide as a result of bullying by other girls. This created [...]

I feel like crap lately. I have caught a bad cold for the first time in way over a year. Working daily with younger kids again this is to be expected. Kids in every country have no sense of cleanliness and will gladly sneeze in your face and wipe their noses on your pants. Every [...]