The Universe in a Nutshell

I just want to give a brief introduction about myself and why I'm going to Japan (I'm really kidding myself if I think anyone who doesn't already know this will be reading my webpage!). Besides, the site looks a bit lame at the moment, so I need some filler pages!

I'm originally from Bangor in Northern Ireland, though if you listen to my accent now you might not believe it. I attended Sullivan Upper School, Holywood, for seven years. It was during my lower sixth year that I was first introduced to Japan (a cunning ploy to use up our free periods and prevent us misbehaving I believe). Anyway, I really enjoyed it, especially our "fieldtrip" to the Ginger Tree beyond Glengormley for dinner and SAKE (cheers Mr. Hamilton).

For the next few years I studied Archaeology and Anthropology at Hertford College, Oxford University. When I say "studying", I of course mean it in the loosest sense of the word, perhaps lazily churning out essay after essay like an enslaved kid working in a Thai sweatshop would be more accurate! It paid off though, and I did quite well. Another perspective would be that Arch & Anth is really very easy, a persuasive argument championed by Alex Baxter. We can't all be high flying, bloodsucking, materialistic lawyers and city *ankers though, can we Alex? (Top - my housemates from Leckford Road, Oxford: from left Dan, Aidan, Ben, Me)

My continued links with Japan derive essentially from working as a Residential Advisor (Tour Guide, Club Rep and all-round underpaid lackey) for Hertford College as it squeezed money out of unsuspecting and kind-natured Japanese students trying to improve their English language abilities! I worked with students from NOVA and Kwansei Gakuin University, and thoroughly enjoyed the social side of the job. I became convinced to apply to the JET Programme, perhaps the best way to live and work in Japan for new graduates. For an insiders view of the JET Programme, use the link to Galvin Chow's Japan files, very funny indeed, unless you're easily offended by swear words.

I later booked a flight to Japan (December 2002), hoping I could use it as evidence for my interest in Japan at the JET interview. The interview came unexpectedly early though, and before I got to go on my holiday! Some of the pictures that you see on the website are from December 2002. Unfortunately the monkeys at webspawner have designed a template that only allows me to put up one picture on each page (So no online photo album at the moment I'm afraid. Hmpf).

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