This is a story about an international couple raising and home educating three young boys on a small island in Japan, half living in buses, engaged in organic, self-sufficient farming in the middle of a mountain forest while dealing with climate, cultural, and personal challenges. These pages are about pretty much anything and everything all guided by our family motto, Taking Chances, Making Changes, Being Happy. Thank you very much for joining us on our ongoing crazy adventure.

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Home - Story - 2010
STORY 2010
Purchased the house in Nara and begin renovations. A bunch of parties, festivals, and camping.

January 2010
We purchased our piece of crap house. After lots of controversy and problems surrounding the purchase, we made it happen and the transaction finally closed on the 12th of this month. We spent new years day again at Nara park and visited a few of the most historic temples in the world.

February - June 2010
We went up in the mountains to a town called Yoshino which is famous for Cherry Blossoms in the Spring. Thousands of trees can be viewed at different elevations allowing visitors to see the flowers at various stages in the blooming cycle. We got together with the family of the neighbors for a nabe party.

July - September 2010
Shai celebrating his first birthday. This included a quiet day at home and a party the next day. We dealt with an earthquake and a typhoon. We held an independence day party. We went camping, hiking, and attended several events. In addition, work on the house continue through the Summer.

October - December 2010
The end of the year was a time for parties including Halloween, Thanksgiving, and a Holiday party. December 1 was our one year anniversary in Japan with mixed feelings since the house turned out to be a lot more work over the previous year than anticipated.
  • January 2010 - Purchase of home in Ando Town, Nara, Japan.
  • February 2010 - No posts.
  • March 2010 - Nabe party with friends.
  • April 2010 - Yoshino Mountain cherry blossom viewing at Yoshino Mountain, Nara, Japan.
  • May 2010 - No posts.
  • June 2010 - Hiking at Myoujin Mountain, Oji, Kitakatsuragi-gun, Nara, Japan.
  • July 2010 - Independence Day party at our house. Shai's Birthday parties at our house. Onbara Festival and Fireworks at Mimoro Mountain, Miwa, Sakurai, Nara, Japan.
  • August 2010 - Yoshino, Shimokita Mountain for some camping, fishing, and hiking. Then hiking at Odaigahara Mountain,  Kamikitayama (Village) Mura, Yoshino-gun, Nara-Mie, Japan.
  • September 2010 - No posts.
  • October 2010 - Halloween Party.
  • November 2010 - Baby Gap contest and a Thanksgiving party.
  • December 2010 - Holiday party and trip to Nara Park.
English Global Group formed in 2010 which was English classes at the house with the following format.
Address: 394-3 OazaHigashiando Ando-cho Ikoma-gun, Nara, Japan
Telephone: 0743-20-0042
Website: EnglishGlobalGroup.com
Email: EnglishGlobalGroup.com@gmail.com

Group Classes

Classes
• Classes meet once per week.
• Students pay a monthly fee and receive 48 classes per year which equals an average of 4 classes per month. Depending on the month there can be anywhere from 3-5 classes.
• There will be 4 weeks per year with no classes resulting in a total of 48 classes as mentioned above. The weeks with no classes will coincide with Japanese holidays when possible.

Cancellations
• If English Global Group cancels a class for any reason there will be a makeup class scheduled.
• If students cannot attend a class for any reason there will not be a makeup class scheduled. Students will be given all class materials from the missed class.
• Students are not required to call ahead of time if they plan on missing a class.

Fees
• Fees are to be paid at the beginning of each month at the beginning of class.
• Fees are nonrefundable.
• Students who want to discontinue their enrollment in the school should simply not pay at the beginning of the month.

Materials
• Students are not required to purchase a textbook. English Global Group will supply printouts of lesson materials.
• Students should bring printouts from all previous classes to each class.
• Students should purchase an electronic dictionary and bring it to each class.
• Students are required to bring their own study materials to class including notebooks, papers, pens, and other miscellaneous items.