Useful Links

Do you have any suggestions for new links? What websites do you find most useful? Do you have your own website you'd like me to link to?

Disclaimer: I know it's obvious...but I can't guarantee the reliability or content of external pages - follow these links at your own risk.

USEFUL
http://www.uknow.or.jp/index_e.htm	Links to the British Embassy in Japan, as well as the British Council, amongst others
XE.COM http://www.xe.com/ucc/	Currency converter
http://www.maporama.com/share/	Find your latitude and longitude, where ever you are.
http://www.deadoraliveinfo.com/	Ever wondered if a celebrity is dead or alive? This is the website for you.
Internet Movie Database http://www.imdb.com/	Possibly the most useful website on the internet. Can't remember the name of an obscure (or not so obscure) actor? Wonder what else he/she has been in? Need details on a particular movie/sitcom/soap/drama/documentary? Basically this site has it all.

JET (and non-JET) JAPAN BLOGS
http://cavemantom.co.uk	Caveman Tom's homepage - updated from time to time, and definitely worth keeping an eye on! (2003-2005 Non-JET)
A REDHEAD IN JAPAN http://www.duke.edu/~bhl/japan/	Bran's homepage (2003-2004 Fukui JET) (A good account of Bran's experiences in Japan!)
The Funky Drummer http://www.thefunkydrummer.blogspot.com/	Sam's homepage (2004 - 2006 Fukui JET) (A very good blog, regularly updated)
An Englishman in Nyu-gun http://anenglishmaninnyugun.blogspot.com/	Lewis' homepage (2004 - 2006 Fukui JET) (another good blog, regularly updated)

JET
http://www.jetprogramme.org/	Official JET website
http://www.ajet.net	National Association of JETs (possibly one of the messiest and most difficult to navigate websites I've ever seen...)
FJET http://www.fjet.org/	Fukui JET's Homepage
http://www.bigdaikon.com/	Fantastic website for JETs
http://www.ithinkimlost.com	"I Think I'M Lost" - a great resource for new JETs
http://www.jetsetjapan.com/	Great deals for JETs

JAPAN
Seismic Monitor http://www.iris.edu/seismon/	Up to date details about seismic activity around the world
Weather Underground http://www.wunderground.com/tropical/	Typhoon prediction/mapping
Japan Natural Disaster Warning Page (in Japanese) http://www3.nhk.or.jp/saigai/index.html	A very useful site - you can use Babelfish, etc, to translate and get the gist of what's going on. Updated in the event of an emergency, with pages devoted to each region.
The Echizen English Centre (EEC) http://www.eecfukui.jp/contact_e.htm	Specialise in English classes for all ages and abilities, as well as translation and interpretation projects. (Plus, Tom works there...!)
(Jim Breen's) Japanese-English Dictionary Server http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/~jwb/wwwjdic.html	Not sure what your students (or JTE) have just said to you? Check it out here. A very good online Japanese-English dictionary. (Allows romaji input)
http://www.japan-guide.com/	a really great guide for people living and travelling in Japan.
http://www.uknow.or.jp/be_e/	linking young people in Japan and the UK
http://japanvisitor.com/	Some useful info for tourists in Japan
http://www.itcj.jp/	International Tourist Centre of Japan - details of places to stay all over Japan
http://www.reggie.net/index.php/	good general Japan website, with some good ideas for activities and games for teaching kids English
http://www.thejapanesepage.com	A great resource for people trying to learn Japanese (including Kanji)
http://www.engrish.com	Enjoyed the Students' Words of Wisdom? Want more? Check out this extensive collection of genuine Engrish
FUKUI HOMEPAGE http://www.pref.fukui.jp/english/	In English, with lovely graphics. Honest.
To Live in Fukui http://info.pref.fukui.jp/kokusai/tagengo/html_e/top.html	A useful resource if you're living in Fukui, including what to do in case of emergency.
Fukui International Club http://www.international-club.org	The everyday comings and goings of Fukui City's very own International Club. If you want to yosakoi, do power yoga, be involved in the rice harvest...this is the site for you (mostly in Japanese)
Movie Times in Fukui http://urala.jp/pc/movie/	In Japanese, but very useful nonetheless!
FIA http://www.f-i-a.or.jp/	Fukui International Activities Plaza homepage, with some useful info about living in Fukui
http://www2.tocoo.jp/english/	From hiring a car in Japan, to finding hotels, etc...check this site out.
Studio Shiki http://www.maiko-henshin.com/index.html	Get dressed as a Maiko in Gion, Kyoto, and have a series of professional photos taken.
Mugenkyo http://www.mugenkyo.com/	Mugenkyo is a professional British taiko group, who's two founding members lived (and learned taiko) in Fukui. They now also have a taiko school. I've seen Mugenkyo perform, and they are fantastic!

JERSEY
http://www.thisisjersey.co.uk	News and more from The Rock
http://www.bbc.co.uk/jersey	Jersey's official BBC website
http://www.jersey.com	Jersey Tourism's official website
http://www.jcg.jersey.sch.uk/	The JCG website (my old school)
http://www.jcoga.org.je	The JCG Old Girls Association website
http://www.jerseydairy.je	Informative site about Jersey Milk (you can also sort out your milk deliveries here, if you're in Jersey) Can you believe we can actually get Jersey milk in Japan?!

TRAVEL
http://www.statravel.com/	Good deals for young travellers
http://www.travelocity.co.uk/	Another useful resource...
http://www.octopustravel.co.uk	This site has some fab. hotel deals, etc.
http://www.thailand.com/travel/facts/fact_tips.htm	All about Thailand
http://www.asiahotels.com/	Need a hotel somewhere in Asia? Check out this website
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/	Lonely Planet online. A whole load of info about travelling - no matter where in the world you want to go.
The Thorn Tree http://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com/	Lonely Planet discussion board...lots of useful info from fellow travellers.
http://roughguides.com	You know the travel books...well, check out the website
Practical Nomad http://www.practicalnomad.com	Edward Hasbrouck is a trained travel agent with a lot of experience with round-the-world and budget travel. His book is good, and the website is useful, too.
National Geographic http://www.nationalgeographic.com	If you don't know about National Geographic...where have you been?! (particularly good: Adventure and Exploration)
Monkey Business Shrine http://www.monkeyshrine.com	For all your Trans-Siberian Train travelly needs. The website isn't particularly user-friendly, but I (so far...) I highly recommend this company.

WORK RELATED (TEACHING)
http://www.reggie.net/index.php/	good general Japan website, with some good ideas for activities and games for teaching kids English
http://www.japanetwork.org	Aids in Japan (AIDS education for the EFL Classroom)
ESL About http://esl.about.com/	another good TEFL website
Three Wise Monkeys http://www.edochan.com/teaching/	more lesson plans than you can shake a stick at!
http://puzzlemaker.school.discovery.com/	has a word search maker amongst other things - a great resource for those difficult lessons!
Children's Book Characters http://www.dltk-teach.com/books/index.htm	Quite a good resource if you want to funk up your handouts...especially for younger kids

NEWS AND WEATHER
http://www.bbc.co.uk/	Where would we be without the BBC?!
http://www.reuters.com/news.jhtml	A good world news site
http://www.ananova.com	Current news written in a very simple style. Great for using with the students!
BBC WEATHER http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/	Weather for around the world, from the BBC
Weather Underground http://www.wunderground.com/global/JP.html	Doesn't actually give the weather underneath the Earth...it is a really useful global weather forecast site, though.
http://www.harpers.org/	"The website of Harper's Magazine, an American journal of literature, politics, culture, and the arts published continuously from 1850"

OTHER TIMEWASTERS
http://www.excite.co.jp/world/text/	on-line translation service. Hours of fun translating English to Japanese then back again! (it helps if you can read a few kanji so you can use the page...)
http://www.b3ta.com	some funny bits and pieces. The Caveman loves this website!
Radiskull http://atomfilms.shockwave.com/af/spotlight/ series/radiskull/	funny cartoony type thing
Weebl and Bob http://www.weebls-stuff.com/wab/	just the best online cartoon ever!
http://www.miniclip.com	Loads and loads of simple, fun online games
Mousebreaker http://www.mousebreaker.com	More online games (but I have to admit...most are pretty rubbish)
Shroomz http://www.shockwave.com/sw/content/shroomz	A scarily addictive game (I think, anyway). A bit cutesy...but very good.
Legend of Red Dragon (L.O.R.D.) http://lord.nuklear.org/play.html	THE classic BBS game. Fabulous! (I used to play this on BBSs, before the internet even vaguely resembled what it is today!)
The Sheep Game http://www.david-lewis.com/sheepgame/	Like sheep? Or just bored? Check this cool game!
I-Sketch http://www.isketch.net/	An online version of Pictionary
Copter Game http://www.seethru.co.uk/zine/south_coast/ helicopter_game.htm	A very addictive but very simple game

SHOPPING ON-LINE
http://www.bravissimo.com/	larger sized bras, pretty undies and more!
The Keeper http://www.keeper.com	If you're a woman - buy one. If you're a man - tell your bird to get one. The Keeper is the best invention I have ever encountered - I can't recommend it highly enough. Think of the reduced hassle, the savings, and the environment. (Any questions, drop me a line!). You may need to shop around for the best online deal.
http://www.amazon.co.uk	books, DVDs, videos, etc
http://www.dabs.com	computery bits and other wonderful technology
http://www.scan.co.uk	good deals on computery bits
The British Export Grocer	Good Ol' food from home! (Expensive, but worth it from time to time!)
http://www.theflyingpig.com	just about everything (especially those hard-to-find western foods), delivered to your door. Great for an occasional binge!

GENERAL
http://www.radiotimes.beeb.com/	TV listings for GB, and more
http://www.scoot.co.uk	Need to know what's on and where in the UK...check this great site out!
http://www.facebook.com/	If you don't know what Facebook is, which cave have you been hiding in?
http://www.friendsreunited.co.uk	Get in touch with those long-lost buddies...or just check out what they're up to!
MY SPACE.COM http://www.myspace.com	Another place to look up people you know...

FRIENDS BACK HOME
ANNIE'S HOMEPAGE http://www.anneworkman.net/	Anne Workman's homepage
DIGITAL GILES http://www.digitalgiles.co.uk/	Giles Moss' homepage
UNDAUNTED http://www.undaunted.co.uk	Olly Ansell and Beth Fisher's homepage

BRISTOL
University of Bristol http://www.bristol.ac.uk	My old uni
Faculty of Engineering http://www.fen.bris.ac.uk/	My old faculty
Dept. of Electrical & Electronic Engineering http://www.een.bris.ac.uk	My old department
http://www.whatsonbristol.co.uk/	Things to do and see in Bristol
http://www.thisisbristol.com	News and more, from Bristol

AIRLINES
http://www.ba.com	BA - should they be painting the tail fins back to the standard colours? I kinda liked the modern art approach!
http://www.bmibaby.com	formerly British Midland (low cost airline)
http://www.flybe.com	British European (Flybe) (low cost airline)
http://www.aurigny.com/	Another Channel Island company, linking the Channel Islands (and the south of England). High prices, but interesting planes!

Last Minute and Online Bookings
http://www.1travel.com	Comprehensive flight searches, and more
http://www.cheaptickets.com	As above...
http://www.lastminutetravel.com	As above...
http://travel.priceline.com/	As above...
Smarter Travel http://www.smartertravel.com/	As above...

WORK RELATED (ENGINEERING)
http://www.theiet.org/	The Institute of Engineering and Technology (formerly the IEE)
http://www.wes.org.uk/	The Women's Engineering Society
http://www.wisecampaign.org.uk/	WISE (Women in Science and Engineering)

REALLY USELESS
ASPARAGUS http://www.asparagus.com/	The Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board - everything you could ever want to know about asparagus...

COOKING
Mince pies	(almond short crust pastry recipe) The site was down last time I checked
Cornish Pasty recipe	(to be tried)
Jersey Bean Crock recipe	Very traditional Jersey recipe. Works very well, even if you have to make a few substitutions (although I did manage to find pig trotters in Japan...)
Jersey Black Butter recipe	NOTE: not butter (to be tried)
A Chef's Help	(might be useful?)
Boiled Fruit Cake	Used this as my Christmas cake recipe in Japan (for two Christmases). I made about 5 or 6 cakes in the end (but I have to admit, I adapted the recipe in include copious amounts of alcohol...)

WEBSITE LINKS
ANIMATED .GIF NETWORK http://animatedgif.net/index.html	Free online animated gifs (beware of pop-ups!)
Gif animations http://www.gifanimations.com/	More free online animated gifs (beware of pop-ups!)
http://www.digits.com/	Need a counter for your website? Look no further!

E-MAIL LINKS
Hotmail http://www.hotmail.com	Yup...the infamous, annoying as hell web-based mail service

SEARCH ENGINES
http://www.google.co.uk	We've been Googled!
http://www.metacrawler.com/	Another useful search engine