EARCOS Conference, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

I had the privilege of traveling with some of the Educational leadership people at Christian Academy in Japan, to the East Asia Regional Council of Schools (EARCOS) Leadership Conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.  I flew out on Tuesday, October 23rd and returned to Japan on October 27th.
The first day of the pre-conference was a good session on curriculum.  There were a number presentations during the regular conference on topics such as conflict, brain research, managing change, as well as keynote speakers, Sir John Jones, Pasi Sahlberg and Kim Phuc Phan Li.  Here are some pictures.

The place where the conference took place.

At the Concorde where we stayed.

An interesting slide from Sir John Jones

 In the evenings we mostly went out and about to find a place to eat dinner.  We found this walking street that had some interesting decorations.

 At the Concorde they did have a fitness room as well as a swimming pool.  The fitness room was a great place for me to get in a good workout.

Petronas Twin Towers

One evening we were sitting in the lounge when we noticed this group of people who came for an event.  They were dressed quite beautifully.  

One of the keynote speakers was Kim Phuc.  She was quite an inspirational speaker.  I have read her book Fire Road since than and find her life story quite amazing.

Kim Phuc is the girl in the center of the picture that is projected on the screen.

Garden area in the Shangri La where the conference was held.

Two of my colleagues gave a presentation at the conference.

 On the last day in Kuala Lumpur, we did some exploring and found some interesting sights, a market, mosque, and some of the contrasting architecture.

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We took the red eye flight back to Tokyo.  I was tired when I finally made it to my place.  I was glad for the learning I did during those four days.  I am blessed to have been able to go.

Guam 2018

Thursday to Saturday, October 18 - 20th, I flew to Guam to help out with the Asia Pacific Invitational Cross Country Championship, also known as API.  Since Christian Academy in Japan (CAJ) only sent a boys team, I did not have to chaperone and was able to go about my own activities.  I did stay in the same hotel as the coaches and the boys.

When I arrived in Tamuning, Guam, I checked into the hotel and knew where the CAJ team was, so I went to say hi and let them know I was there.  The team flew in the day before.  I also headed over to the mall and did some shopping for clothes as well as some things from the US that I am unable to purchase in Japan. 

The hotel has a variety of activities in the evening.  They also decorate their grounds with lights in the evening.  This picture was taken from the 3rd floor facing the pools area.  

Friday morning was the first race.  We begin early in the morning, as soon as the sun rises.  The humidity increases significantly when the sun shines.

The sun is just about rise in the east.

Facing west 

I did not get any pictures of the race this morning.  The CAJ boys did well and the chip system did well too.  By about 8 am we were done.  I headed over to Denny's for breakfast, did some more shopping.  When I arrived back at the hotel, I went to sit out by the pool and enjoy swimming, walking along the beach, do some reading on the chairs and a chance to relax.  

 I did get to bed early since the next morning was the relay race.  They were planning to begin the race by about 6 am.  I had to be at the park down the road by the beach.  The runners were going to do a combination of running on the road and running along the beach.  I would be helping with the finish line calling out the numbers on the bibs of those who finished. 

Before the race

Praying before the race

Starting line

At the finish line we noticed a rainbow, a double rainbow!  

 Once the race is done, the runners all tend to go into the water, many times throwing their coaches in the water. 

Our boys ran the relay race with the girls from International School of the Sacred Heart, the ones in the black uniforms.

All those who participated at API.

 After the race, I got some breakfast and decided to hang out by the pool and walk along the beach for the rest of the day.  I would be flying out that afternoon back to Japan. 

I was glad that I could go out to help the cross country meet.  I also enjoyed the time I was able to enjoy the warm weather.  It was a great few days.