Greetings!<\/p>\n
As we move into September the August heat gradually dissipates, soon to be just a sticky memory, and new excitement arrives in the form of the start of school. First time ALTs will have the joy of their first sweltering opening ceremonies; at least one student will faint, either from heat or excitement at their incredibly \u00e2\u20ac\u02dckawaii\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 new ALT. Just make sure you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t do as I did and try to run off stage before receiving your full school bow of welcome. Not only is there a power trip to be had when several hundred people dip their heads in deference to you, but it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s pretty blooming embarrassing if Kocho-sensei has to chase after you!<\/p>\n
With summer memories buoying us up, the first weeks of school will pass in a blur, but don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t forget that September not only includes two deliciously long weekends for exploration and\/or relaxation, but also a plethora of autumnal festivals; from the Nishinomiya Matsuri<\/a> on the 23rd<\/sup>, where foreign residents are invited to carry their own shrine; to Kishiwada Danjiri which festival fanatic Paige remembers on PAGE??<\/span><\/b> as one of her very favourites.<\/p>\n To beat the post-Welcome Party blues, or for moments caught between classes and action packed weekends, have a browse of this month\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s issue where you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll find musings on making long distance relationships work; modern culture in the form of the Future Shorts Film Festival; and, at the opposite end of the cultural spectrum, the next stage of our Kannon pilgrimage; plus regular features Miso Green, Kicchiri Kitchen, Where are they now? and introductions to our charismatic new Hyogo CIRs.<\/p>\n I wish you all a fun-filled September, with genki students and minimal typhoon action – on that note: keep an eye on your neighbours for when to hang out washing; losing your delicates to a storm is never ideal, especially when considering the \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcmetcha kawaii\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 [read repulsive] ones you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d have to buy in replacement.<\/p>\n