Easter

I forgot Easter again. Last year, we happened to hear that it was Easter the day of and I told myself I wouldn't forget this year. However, I finally realized that I don't actually know when Easter is since the day always changes. I was confused between March and April. I was so used to having decorations around me at home and big scary Easter bunnies at the mall. Not to mention the countdowns at church. I guess being in Japan where people have absolutely no clue about this holiday, it's difficult to sometimes remember those things that were fun all through my life before. It's hard to teach Easter in Japan. I don't want to give them the shallow end and say it's all about bunnies, eggs, and spring. But once I start talking about Christ and religion, it all goes out the window. I've tried it already with Christmas and Hanukkah. Try to explain the Hanukkah story to 16 year old Japanese students- I dare you!

Our New Year's Day

Soon after our fire, onsen, and Chinese food, we made it to Tokyo just in time for the new year. We spend the countdown singing karaoke with Kunino's family. We would have forgotten about the New Year if we weren't paying for our karaoke at the time. I know that we were in Tokyo and there were probably a billion things to do to ring in 2009, but being with a close family, singing songs, and NOT driving was the perfect way to finish off the year after so much adventure.

The next day, like last year, we helped Kunino's family with preparing the New Years meal. Her mother made everything and it all tasted so good. Before we left for our trip back to Morioka, I made the family Morioka's famous Jajamen. Probably the only thing I am confident of making for her connoisseur mother.

What I am Thankful for

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

In school, I am teaching a lesson about Thanksgiving. I asked my teacher what students knew about Thanksgiving and he says "Turkey." So I have a lot to explain. At the end of their lesson, students write in their journal of 3 things they are thankful for. I was surprised by two students responses. Since it made me so happy, I would like to share their amazing English with everyone.

"I appreciate you. I didn't know about Thanksgiving Day. You taught me very important thing."

"I appreciate Ms. Juni. Because it is easy for me to listen to her English and she often talks to me. I like to talk in English, but sometimes I don't know what to talk to. She makes me take it easy to speak in English."

Three Cheers for crying in school!

Happy Halloween!

I just finished my school's Halloween Party. This was quite a large feat since I had never planned a party before. Plus, making a party for about 1,000 students in a 30 minute time period. This past month has been pretty busy with making decorations, costumes, and other Halloweeny things. But it was worth it. The party was a big success. I also had to teach 4 classes that day which didn't help my stress, but with some lucky breaks before the party and super helpful students, it was flawless. Once lunch time started, kids just started spewing into the classroom. We had a Candy Jar guessing game, a voodoo game and a bobbing (fishing-it's cleaner) for apples game. We gave out some prizes and students all left with a little bit of American culture. One of my teachers even came in and offered some of his own candy for me to share with the kids. My English Club especially seemed to have a great time and I think that this will be a good memory for Ichi-ko students. It's one of my favorites.

My School Festival

My school has just finished their school festival, one of the best parts of a school year. Last year, I experienced the school festival, but since I was only at the school for a month and had not started teaching, I knew none of the students. It was a lot of wandering around, not knowing where to go, and all these faces that knew me, but who I didn't know. This year was much better. Not only did I know what a school festival actually was, but I was constantly pulled into different rooms and booths since my students wanted my attention and to see their handiwork. They probably wanted me to spend money on their booth, but in my eyes, they really wanted my attention.

Golden Week Vacation- Bimbo Ryoko!

びんぼ旅行
Bimbo- "poor" Ryoko- "vacation"

Ahh! It feels like college again. Golden Week is one of the largest group of national holidays. So many and so close together that they call that week "Golden Week" and many Japanese families take this opportunity to go north and see the Cherry Blossoms or somewhere south to just rest. Basically, everyone in Japan is on the move during this week. Not to miss in the experience, Ron and I too were planning a trip of our own. With many summer plans in the making, Ron's change of job, and a new house, we've decided that using the minimal amount of money was necessary for future living. So we decided to go to Yamagata, a prefecture where many Moriokans refer to as the "Ohio" of Japan, why go? BECAUSE WE CAN!!

During the three day trip, we slept in the car in sleeping bags, took rest in 24 hour supermarket parking lots and convenient stores, cooked with our little stove in the trunk, and took baths in nearby onsen. Some may say that's barely living, but in that trip, we did more things than I could imagine any Japanese person could do. We saw a brilliant amount of sights and tasted the delicious food. We saw a famous war reenactment festival, tasted their famous cherries, dipped in the most famous onsen, saw "take your breath away" temples and the Pacific Ocean scattered with small islands, and a gigantic crater. In the end, we spent $350 on the whole trip, transportantion costs included. By pinching pennies (yennies) and trying to find the best deals, it felt like our own reality show adventure, minus the drama and the backstabbing.

Yonesawa Festival











Yamadera- A mountain hike lined with temples






Yamagata City- known for it's cherries ($100 for one box of cherries!)





Okama- In Yamagata it means "Gigantic Crater", in Ichi-ko it means "Gay" :( Either way, to me it means " freakin' cool)



Matsushima... This place is one of the three best sights of Japan. This beach area near Sendai is peppered with mini islands. Real pretty, but we came when it was a little overcast. I think the next time we go on a beautiful day, it will show it's true beauty.






Truly unconventional ね?

"Bento" means "March" in Japanese

Because of all the graduations, exams, corrections, farewell parties, and welcoming parties, I have had my fill of food this month. The best part of this month, however was in the free bentos that our school would give the teachers. So, to give everyone a chance to feel the Japanese spirit in the best way, I want to share with you my school bentos. I wish you all can taste it. It is as good as it looks. Now I have to wait a whole year for more bentos.






Itadakimasu!