We are officially going to Shanghai high school. It was up in the air for a little while, but finally we got our letter. In the city, free housing, free utilities, school lunch, one month Christmas vacation, $2000 a month each, and both of us in the same school. Can't complain one bit.

Cherry Blossoms- American Style!

Early Saturday morning, our friend Adam was dropped off at our local lake and kept our special spot safe.

At 10 am, I met Adam with our prepared foods. He was so happy to have someone with him.



The sofa was a special part of our Hanami this year. We decided to bring our living room to the festivities. As other Japanese parties brought out their blue tarps, we took out our coffee table, carpet, and couch. Many Japanese strollers couldn't understand our strange set up, but we knew that they were all envious that we though of such a great idea. While the rest of our family arrived, the boys enjoyed some light exercise.



Our Family Hanami Picture

The rest of the warm sunny day was enjoyed playing baseball, eating homemade food, feeding the flying hawks, practicing handstands, and staring down the judging faces of the Japanese community.

Only at Ichiko

An example that my students are so smart that it's funny.

I asked two of my students whom I've just finished a class with how much English they understood in class. They took a couple minutes to think about it and then said... four-fifths.

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!

The Forgotten Zamami Island

Forgotten because of the fact that I didn't include it with the other Okinawa pictures. It's a shame too because it was really so fun and I snorkeled which is something I didn't think I would do because of my fear of the ocean. I can swim around the shallow area, but if I see fish and algae and coral, no way!

On this small island though, two hours from Naha, Ron and I really got to enjoy doing absolutely nothing. I realized that although the purpose of this trip was to relax, going from city to city, taking buses for hours, hitch hiking, and trying to make an adventure everyday, a small island of 500 was just what was needed. Ron and I were able to eat at all 5 restaurants and we made several loops walking around the village. The turquoise water was amazing and going underwater was a completely mind bending experience. It was one thing to see these things through glass, but to be swimming with them was incredible. We saw lion fish, squid, and larger fish about a foot long. I would never try to touch them, but my inner challenge was won when I put on the fins and dove into the sea. Holding Ron's hand while swimming also calmed me down.