Goodbye, foreign films.

So I watched Goodbye, Lenin tonight. I was hoping (expecting) for there to be English subtitles for this German movie. After all the first foreign film (that meaning anything other than Japanese or English-speaking) that I accidentally rented last week was French. I was pleasantly surprised to find an English subtitle selection on this movie for what would have been an otherwise slight waste of money and time for this impatient viewer. But not so tonight, I was a bit unpleasantly surprised to listen to this movie in German and read the Japanese subtitles to the best of my capabilities which means a few words out of each dialog. But at least it was an expressive movie, so all in all, it wasn't too hard to take in what was going on. About 3/4 of the way thru I turned it to the Japanese dub, funny to hear...but the recollection of "Oh! That's what that kanji character means!," came to mind a few more times than not!! Maybe I should stick to the English movies or perhaps some Russian roulette with the French ones??

Sunshine and curls

If only I knew as a child, the wonders and blessings that God was preparing for me...that He laid out for me when He created me. But now I AM His child and what better teacher could I hope for than the one that knows every thought and question of my heart and understands every action that I give. That is the best blessing that I could ever ask for...someone that understands me, forgives me, and continually loves me. Even when I feel defeated, He picks me back up and guides me on."Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth." (Hosea 6:3)

Of all the things I wanted to write about...

(Mt. Iwaki on a clear, crisp day...shining with her happy, snowtopped peaks.)

...BUT didn't find the time to!

-the lovely time spent in Misawa with the Conlans and friends and too much good food and fellowship
-freezing our tails off as we wait for the Airforce Base bus...which never came.
-the base lock down...sitting in our car wondering if we'd ever get to leave Misawa
-the trip to Kazamaura to see the Elliot's (Luke & Yuko)...the ends of the earth it seems
-sewing a bib for Yuko, enjoying watching Sarah E. teach Yuko the tricks of the trade
-eating and socializing at the quite famous cedar house built by Mr. Muraguchi, there was even a reporter that night from Tokyo
-again freezing our tails off as Sarah E. and I attempted a walk in the wind blasts
-some super salmon fried up by Yuko...a fish a day keeps the doctor away!

-elementary school graduation, like military roll call, but quite fascinating
-only moms attending to see their children off
-seated in the "Guest of Honor" section
-only person w/o a suit jacket...
-but THEN onto the real fun:
-bento box lunch...mmmm...fried scallops w/ Bulldog sauce
-soft volleyball w/ moms, grads, and teachers....i pulled sticks (or really chopsticks) for the C TEAM
-we came in 3rd place (out of 4)
-but the rewards were great...gatorade for a job well done and cake for the car ride home


-saying goodbyes to my teachers...sad. they usually change schools EVERY 3 years. sometimes in the same town, other times hours away. it's a transient lifestyle really. not for the average joe or sarah at that.
-and low and behold below is a bridge!!
-the amazingly looooooong Tsuruta bridge...loooooongest wooden one in Japan, and only 15 minute drive from my little abode
-I showed Andy & Rebecca (missionary couple from England) the wonders of this bridge
-in the process Rebecca and I slyly broke the rules and tramped out onto the "closed" bridge...how dare we cross the line and break the law...that is the law we can't even read, but assumed the sign said "Bridge Closed to Foreigners unless insane."

The end of my happy adventures for the present!

Asbestos or Secondhand Smoke???

I've been pondering over a thought, one of which has indeed been a hot topic the past few years in Japan- asbestos in public areas. There are many articles on it...but here's a little link. It was "discovered" that my age-old Junior High is completely covered in the stuff. No surprise since even back home, this was a common problem in the 80's and 90's...and I believe it was resolved then some 10-20 years ago for most places. But here in my Japanese town a new school is in the works...in like 3 years...so they went for a cheaper alternative to removing the asbestos. They covered the ceilings with plastic and tape holding the strips together and patching the holes where the lights drop down. Hmmmm, I wonder how much protection this really is in a classroom where the wind blows through some cracks in the windows and the ceiling occasionally leaks water?? I've gotta get a picture of this handy work sometime. But the part that really humors me even more...I wonder that the public isn't so concerned about all the secondhand smoke we get to inhale everyday in the teacher's room. Students and fellow teachers alike. I guess Japanese common sense isn't always to my understanding!!!! If anyone can enlighten me, please do!! (Pictures to follow...when I can smuggle my camera in for some good shots ^_^!)

Disengaged...

Ok, I'm ready to go home...NOW!! Not that home holds some magical aura or an abundance of immediately known opportunities, but I'm ready for a CHANGE. I guess I've always been that way...seeing change as an exciting thing that brings new experiences, obstacles, joys, and opportunities. I feel content with life, with all of which God blesses me with, He is sooo good to me, but maybe He is calling me for something more....or maybe it's just my over-imaginative dreams. But either way He's also teaching me how to be PATIENT while I wait...but sometimes it's sooooo HARD to wait!!! I just wanna fling open the door and GO some place. Ok, ok weekend to the rescue...going on an extended trip to eastern Aomori...hoping that will get rid of some of my cabin fever....

And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. (Colossians 1:10-12)

In other weekly news...

My kids threw a fabulous year-end assembly for me at Miyoshi Elementary School. There was Fruit Basket mayhem...if you don't know this all favorite game, oh believe me I can teach you with my eyes closed. We also did some sort of dance jig with janken involved. Of course a song with band and many cute speeches by students. The Principle was so kind and wished to give a farewell speech in English. Well she read it to me beforehand to make sure it was intelligible. It was more or less...and I didn't have the heart to correct her, nor do I think it would have been so proper to do it since she is officially retiring this year!! Such a super duper school!!

And in still more exciting news...

For my last class in Minami Elementary School I subjected my 3rd Graders to Peanut Butter & Banana Sandwiches. It went over well...except for the fact I think all their mouths got plastered shut as they were eagerly trying to finish licking the mixing bowls and then proceeded onto eating their scrumptious sandwiches without any sort of beverage. But so goes the life of a 9 year old.

This boy was hard at it and I proceeded to call him "Peanut Butter Face" the rest of the class ^_^!!

Non-stop

Post have been few and far between...not for lack of things, but for abundance. With the inklings of springtime in the air, activities are becoming more and more numerous as the hibernation of sleepy Aomori melts away. Here's just a quick recap of the past week....
(Watched "Narunia" or The Chronicles of Narnia as more commonly known in English and enjoyed some sushi afterwards with friends/Elliot crew. It was great to see the movie for the 2nd time...once while home for Christmas and then again on the opening day in Japan. I saw even more symbolism and meaning as it relates to Christ the second time around and I also relearned some useful Japanese phrases with the subtitles...such as "mochiron" meaning of course and "yamete" meaning STOP !!)
(Never underestimate the power of the English alphabet...my kids never tire of making A's, B's, C's, etc....they wore me out just trying to hand out their letters every other second!)
(The school year is quickly coming to a close here in Japan. I received numerous plaques, songs, and scribbled notes from my wonderful kids. I will truly miss them...especially the body arch my little first graders gave me today on the way out of my elementary school...each pair of students holding their hands above them to clasp their partners hands forming a sort of cave for me to practically crawl through. I cried...'cuz God gives me so many awesome experiences and memories!!)

(Watched Rie's traditional Japanese dance last Sunday...she has been practicing since she was 8 years old and competed that day in a dance rehearsal of sorts...it was very beautiful, simple, but intricate.)

And the 5-month update of sweet, glowing Yuko!!! It's a GIRL!!! Emma Grace...you can read more about it on Luke's (in English) or Yuko's (in Japanese) page!

Priests Purify Shrine after Bush Visit

Ok, this story caught my eye. I'm usually less than interested in the comings and goings of Bush or any politician at that...but by the title I was assuming that the aforesaid Bush was somewhere in our vicinity of the world. Now was there really any need to cause India "national disgrace" for the sake of his special visit to Gandhi's memorial?? But by all means remove your shoes...after all who wouldn't want to walk on ground that has been cleaned by the sparkling and sanitary Ganges River.

The Season of Lent, Shrove Tuesday

I had never heard of Pancake Tuesday, Shrove Tuesday, or as one website favored saying Pancake Day as said by the proper Brits. Check out the history! But in fact to me it just sounded like an exciting evening of breakfast for dinner!! Well that's exactly what we did last Tuesday... crepe/pancake style at the Elliot's house as a means to kick off the Lent season. Lent or "fast" is a time of fasting, prayer, temptation, and repentance. It is not required in scriptures, but has been a custom of Christians for over 2,000 years. It is by no means necessary and its participation is different from denomination to denomination, person to person. It lasts 40 days (46 days counting Sundays) up until Easter and stands the period of time that Jesus was tempted and fasted in the wilderness. Last year at the conclusion of Lent in our Bible study group, many of us gave testimony on what we had learned in our struggles. In the past the focus of Lent was (and still is):

1. A time to prepare new converts for baptism through classes and instruction.
2. A time for long-standing Christians to review their lives and renew their commitment to Jesus Christ.
3. A time for backsliders to be restored to the faith.

As an added bonus to Pancake Day since 1950 (my mother reminded me), Buckinghamshire, England and Liberal, Kansas, USA, have been holding an International Pancake Olymipcs. Go Kansas, Go Kansas!! But how sad, my Kansas was not able to defend the title this year after a 7 year streak!!! Well, there's always next year....maybe I'll try out for the team! ^_^

The goods.

A few of the fixins, minus the ham, cheese, & tomatoes.
John, rather dismayed that his pancake is rapidly loosing heat, as he waits patiently for the rest of the family.
Sarah, the fabulous chef.