Hi, my name’s Thi (“T”)! Based in Omachi, but originally from the sunny paradise that is Australia, Nagano’s long, frigid winters usually have me to hibernating under my kotatsu until it’s warm enough to venture outside again. The offer of good food will usually be enough to entice me to live under some else’s kotatsu for a while though! When not doing that “work” thing, I’m most likely to be found baking, gallivanting about Japan (and the sunny parts of Asia!), sleeping or talking strangely.

Hi!! My name is Vanessa and I'm one of the Matsumoto Block Leaders for 2011-2012! ... Err... Even after all the intro lessons I've given, I still feel weird introducing myself. Anyway, I'm an American who can call both the West Coast (what up LA!!) and East Coast (DC... yay?) home. As a Chinese American, I blend in easily with the locals and don't enjoy the rock star
status that many other ALTs experience.. but I enjoy the anonymity sometimes ;) My hobbies and interests are as vast and random as a birds nest, but among other things I enjoy cooking, shopping, sports, traveling, taiko, singing (badly) at karaoke.. it just goes on forever. I also enjoy trying new things so bring on the adventures! Here's to round 2 in Nagano-ken,
cheers!