User:Stephen.walrond

About Me
My Name is Stephen Walrond (born 1981) and I am currently a Assistant Language Teacher on the JET Programme. I Live in Saito, Miyazaki and teach at a school here and one in Takanabe, Miyazaki, a neighbouring town.

I enjoy Japanese foods, arts and culture and pop-culture. I almost universally dislike J-Pop with few exceptions, the most recent and most notable being Anna Tsuchiya.

Currently I am only contributing to the Saito page but I am trying to encourage other ALTs living in other parts of Miyazaki to contribute to Wikipedia too. These are my reasons:


 * 1.	In doing so we will discover and understand more about the places we live.
 * 2.	In doing so we will be giving back to the community we are in by teaching people around the world about our towns and villages.
 * 3.	We will help any prospective ALTs better understand Miyazaki and all the area’s in Miyazaki.
 * 4.	It is also an opportunity to show Miyazaki in a positive way and not just as the place that has Avian Flu and bent governors.

Methods & Practices
I have a very basic understanding of the Japanese language and I'm currently learning using the Genki books, the Pimsleur tapes and the JapanesePod101 Podcasts, I'm open to other suggestions for study material as I'm finding it hard to learn a second language.

At the moment I translate texts using software or by looking up Kanji using Jedict, most of the information is sourced from English language materials.

I live in Saito which give me a unique advantage in being able to see the things I will eventually write about, allowing me to best meter what will be important to a western reader about Japan.

Currently Working On

 * Saito, Miyazaki

Potential Future Projects

 * Takanabe, Miyazaki
 * Nichinan, Miyazaki

Todo List

 * Add the following places of interest to the Saito Page
 * Tsuma Temple
 * Yamajibishamonten
 * Tonokori Castle Ruins
 * Sugiyasu
 * Expand upon the Saitobaru section
 * Add to Festivals and Traditons Section
 * Shimozuruusu Taiko Dance
 * Ohae kagura
 * A list of festivals throughout the year
 * Add Pictures
 * Ideally one for each of the above