Participation in the 2013 Innovation Education Conference

I was honored to give a keynote speech in the conference on innovation education here in Taiwan today. 

Receiving a certificate from President Yung. 

In my room with  Alice Wu who's taken such good care of me. 

National Kaohsiung University of Hospitality and Tourism

Lots of birthday celebrations at Lawry's

I wanted to take the delegation from China to dinner at Barbacoa, but as I wasn't able to get a table we ended up going for prime rib at Lawry's Saturday night. The environment was okay, but I'm sure the teachers would have been happier at Barbacoa. Anyway, during dinner we heard "happy birthday" being sung at least 15 times and we asked our waiter if that was common. As he said they celebrated all birthdays in May, I ended up getting a piece of cake and a candle myself!

Pleasant evening in Akasaka, Tokyo.

A birthday cake on our table, too....

Czech Language Speech Contest

The Czech Language Speech Contest sponsored but the Embassy of the Republic of Czech was held on our Kioicho campus on Saturday. Unfortunately JIU students were not able to take part this year as they just started taking Czech in April, but I hope they'll participate next year. 

Ambassador greeting the participants and audience.

Czech delicacies prepared by the Embassy chef.

Shuko with the champion!

Chancellor Mizuta greeting the winners.

So beautiful

University of Science and Technology Beijing

A delegation of the University of Science and Technology Beijing including the Dean of the School of Foreign Studies Zhang Jingyuan are now visiting JIU. We have more than ten students from that University in Togane right now, but we would like to have more students in our All-English Program as well. It is the Dean's first visit to Japan and I'm glad that we are hosting him. 

Dinner at Takedaya. 

Thanks for the tea!

A nice surprise on Thursday--a special birthday gift!

Laura Ashley

Do you know Laura Ashley? Anri and I are big fans! Thanks, Anri, for the gift!

Constitution Day of Poland

I attended a reception at the Hotel New Otani on Friday to celebrate the Constitution Day of the Republic of Poland on May 21. I didn't know so many people and ended up talking only to the Ambassadors of the Republic of Czech, Hungary and Malaysia. We had met quite a few times, but this was the first time to talk to so many Ambassadors at the same party.

Open Campus on May 18 and Mei's visit

We held our first open campus session on Saturday, May 18. We were able to meet some lovely students and talked from 1:30 to 4:30. During that time, Mei showed up and we ended up having dinner together. Thanks, Mei, for the gifts and for the visit. 

Japanese culture?!? One piece left on each plate....

A surprise cake on May 22

My Brazilian students surprised me with a delicious cake from Schubert yesterday. Thank you, girls!!

Barbacoa on Friday

I had dinner at Barbacoa last night with Professors King and Kim from the University of British Columbia, but I forgot to take a photo to share with you. The picanha and pineapple were excellent--as usual, but this time I decided to have some of the Brazilian coconut dessert and it was great. Next time you go, please try that!

...And the celebrations continued....

I feel very fortunate that my former students made the time to come see me, write or call on the 15, 16 and 17. I'm also very fortunate to be in okay health and to be greeted by so many different people here in Japan and around the world. Thank you, everyone! 

Dinner at Yutaka two consecutive days....

Even Minnie joined us!

Kashiwa-kun: thanks for the special pasta!

My orchids started blooming at home!

Hitomi and Yuka visited on Friday. Thanks for the gifts!

Isn't that cute? I don't think I can eat it!

Thanks, Miyuki, for the tea and for the great soap.

Look at this beautiful card made by Dale & his wife.

Flowers from the English teachers. What a treat!

Flowers from Narimatsu-sensei's garden.

Happy Birthday

Thanks, Chiho, for remembering.

Brooks Brothers--thanks, Daiki!

Te-chan: thanks for the cute card and superb wine!

Miyazawa-sensei: I appreciate your thoughtfulness!

Thanks for making it a little cooler in my office!

Go: thanks for the beautiful fan and for making time to come to JIU. 

Rilakkuma and Tako-chan resting on my desk. Thanks to Kobayashi-san and to Daiki.

Azusa: thanks for the most beautiful tea container!

Naho: thanks for the apple pie. Hanako: thanks for the great cake!

My junior class: thanks for the special slippers and cushion!

Hara-sensei: thanks for the beautiful Maria.

Thanks Fumi and Haruka for the best chocolate!

What a pleasant surprise! Many thanks, Yuki!