Fading faces

Main Street, McPherson, Kansas

It's strange being back in my hometown. Faces drift past me in the store...and I think, "I know them. Or do I?" My mom introduces me to a long time family friend, "I haven't seen you since you were this high (as she holds her hand to her waist)." "What are you doing now?" .... "Japan!! Oh that must be different." Etc, etc. Everyone is that much older, that much more dug into their life, that much more distant to my memories. It can be remotely sad to see how life moves on from your memories, but I also feel an underlying gratefulness to HAVE those memories. So here are just a FEW of those fading faces and memories that mean so much to me and my life!!!


Did I mention my Christmas present?? An orange Chevy truck!!!
Ok, ok...but I at least got the picture of this beauty.



Pickin' out frames with mi mama...well for her, not for me!! Neither of these made the cut, but I'll post the real deal some other time.



Being silly with my gurl Althea...I'm sure you'd love to know what I'm pointing at???





My cousin Angie's and husband Joe's children waiting at the door with all their toy babies in tow for us to meet as well...so adorable!! Emma and Amelia...just babies last time I saw 'em...amazing!!



A commonly seen house in the historic part of town. I forgot how precious these views are...big porch, bigger yard, tall oaks and maples, Victorian styling...que lindo!
The old United Church of Christ. Wood, organ, the US flag, light filtering in through the stained-glass windows...tradition.

So many things do fade in my life, but new brilliant things always show the old in a new light!! The new year is so full of miracles and surprises, blessings, hopes, disappointments, joys, sadnesses but most importantly learning wisdom to find understanding in them all!!
I just finished another reading of "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen, 1813. This quote caught my eye...."I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look, or the words which laid the foundation. It is too long ago. I was in the middle before I knew that I had begun." She is speaking on love, but I am thinking on life and love...there really isn't a difference for some ^_^!!

Happy New Year and may God reflect on you all with His mercy and grace.

Lions and tigers and bears, Oh My!

Sitting down to write this post...I have no idea why this title came into my head...when suddenly I recollected that I am now back in the Land of Oz...maybe the chant comes back intrinsically into my head somehow hahaha. Good ol' Dorothy says this as she's heading out on the yellow brick road and is expecting all kinds of unknowns. And no, Oz is NOT those Aussies or the love hotel,Land of Oz, that is situated between Goshogawara and Aomori City...it is my lovely state of Kansas, a claim I never had to dispute until I moved to Japan.

Christmas weekend flew by in a flurry of activites, comforts, relaxations, and generally eating more than my share of pumpkin pie. Christmas Eve traditional Swedish service...brilliant candle lights. Christmas morn service...hometown gurl trained in Italy singing some amazing Messiah. Awesome Christmas story...never get tired of hearing it and wondering how Mary must have felt giving birth to a King!! And Joseph there supporting her thru it all! The gifts and presents followed. Cousins....and more cousins. Brillant walk on a 55 F day...shockingly warm...but the sun on my face was everything I wished for.


(I used to play hide-in-go-seek here in the wheat field as a kid...now it's all development!!!)

Some more pumpkin pie. Puzzle placing w/ my sister-in-law, Inga. (We look like sisters...no she is not my real sister. Us Eastern European gurls tend to have similar characteristics I guess hahaha.) There was plenty of German flying...as that is the common tongue between my brother and wife. But I got to teach a few Japanese words to Inga....like the all important "yatta!" to say while arranging the puzzle.




(Inga (sister-in-law), Matthew (my brother), and Sarita)

(Kathy and Larry,a.k.a. Mama and Dad,...I'm sure they will love this less than flattering picture ^_^!! Oh well...gotta go with what ya've got!!)

Shuffleboard with my dad's friends...a traditional since forever. Calling of friends, etc, etc. And now back to that yellow brick road. In fact I'm still trying to find it here in Kansas but I know I've got my own road to follow (and I hope it's orange with an occassional turquoise ^_^) and there's so many unknowns, Oh My! But I've only gotta reflect on this verse to bring me back to center...and I hope you will all take a minute to do the same!! God continues to teach me and show me His miracles in my life!!! I LOVE HIM!!!

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." (Phillipians 4:6-8)

Many holiday blessings and wishes. Abrazos y besos, Sarita chan
Ps. Funniest holiday question posed to me...."Do you speak English?" ^_^ And I thought my Japanese kids gave me some jolly laughs hahaha....

Reflections on Disappointment

The best part of Kansas...never ending sky!!


What is disappointment? By definition it means "to fail to satisfy the hope, desire, or expectation of; to frustrate or thwart." Sometimes I get so caught up in my own expectations and hopes that my disappointment is inevitable. If each of us all put in the same effort in friendships, work, family, spiritual life, etc., would we have to face disappointment??? Without a doubt, yes. We all have a different degree of effort and more than likely our hopes, desires, and expectations are not the same. I am learning that I will never be completely satisfied with the situations in my life or in my expectations. Only from believing that God's Will is true and perfect will I see contentment within myself and others. But it's HARD!!! I still become disappointed with friends, family, actions, people, and of course MYSELF!! But's God is so awesome...I don't have to do it alone. He's ALWAYS there to help me through it. And BELIEVE ME I can readily say I've given Him a nice share of disappointment over the years, but He has never stopped encouraging me!!! And for those of you with some disappointing Christmas presents....sorry, no advice here except to go to your room and cry. At least that's what I did as a kid when I recieved the Cabbage Patch Koosa Doll...what I thought was the ugliest thing ever. But now I'm not disappointed at all...I think it's the coolest orange-striped, cat/dog mix, non-gender doll with overalls around!! ^_^



"It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy. For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: "I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." (Romans 9:16-17)


Canadian geese on the move...give me a honk!!


I don't remember this bear from before...but somehow I think they put his head on backwards hahaha ^_^!


My alma mater...Kansas State University...lovely.


The next best part of Kansas...squirrels!!

Macs 101

I always thought I'd like an iBook or even just a cutie lil' hot pink mac...after all it is the computer of my previous world in art and graphics. But I could never bring myself to use one unless it was to hop on someone else's to retreive something...and so I continued all cozy, snuggly, and warm with my own pc knowledge. So now that I'm forced to use my mom's iBook given to her by the Kansas Board of Education...I'm in quite a bind!!! This thing is crazy, icons coming outta nowhere, pages disapearring, no backspace button....so bear with me as I jumble thru trying to post this!!


A view down my neighborhood street...WOW it seems wicked WIDE!!


My best friend since high school, Althea ('Thea). I'm so proud of my gurl, working in Chicago for urban exchange program for college students, volunteerin' and participatin' in Rev. Jesse Jackson's organization, Rainbow PUSH...she's finding her way in what can be a confusing world.


Thea's dad is Wayne Conyers, a famous watercolorist...and one of my teachers while I was in high school taking college classes.


Everyone LOVES the candy store!


My mom and some last minute Christmas shopping at the reststop payphone hahaha....


They like me at the hospital....I just don't like them. But Dr. Z is the best...and prays with me.

Is there a resemblance? Mi mamita is the coolest curly haired mom (even w/o the hair she's still the best!! ^_^).

Attended a special Kansas State Board of Ed. meeting...they're always getting themselves in trouble with that evolution stuff...I guess they thought the cookies afterwards would warm some hard hearts.

Haven't gotten the tree up yet...but here is the nativity set I made my mom when I was younger...somehow I never finished the 3rd wise man or the animals...but I hope you know the story and can use your imagination!

Happy First Day of Winter or so the calendar says!! Hugs coming from cowgurl country!!!!

Mi querido Kansas

14 F!!! Burrrrr....left the snow to come to snow...but under a piercing blue sky and fresh Kansas wind, it is a different world. Big cars, big people (I no longer have the biggest hips in the room hahaha), big drinks, big hearts. ^_^ Favorite activity- newspaper, the police log....do I know anyone?? Looking at the births...wow, Jaime had his 2nd kid!! This is life in the small town of McPherson, Kansas. The local news, boys lost the high school basketball game last night...gurls won....GO PUPS!! Can't escape a trip to the store without talking for 5 minutes with every other person....at least as a bystander to my mother, I love her. Btw I cried in the olive, pickle, and coffee isle...out of sheer joy at it all and a bit of an overwhelming feeling hahaha... Most missed food- cottage chz. Looking forward to Chronicles of Narnia and KingKong action in the theater. On to setting up the eclectic Christmas tree...glory, glory to God in the highest.

Narita...mmmm

6am train, 1pm Tokyo. From snow to dry, brown land. Chai latte, bruised shins, overheated!!! But lookin forward to that chocolate chip cookie. Shiney marble floors, low murmer of nothingness, crazy canadian chic in a stocking cap, and lots of military with their green packs....

Let the games begin...

Oh...well perhaps not basketball as the truck won't be moving any time soon!! But no worries, there are plenty of other things for the winter-inspired person to do and see...

You can always take up

shoveling or shoveling or shoveling or shoveling or shoveling or shoveling or shoveling or shoveling....

For those of us that must drive in this weather...meaning about everyone...you can play Hide & Go Seek with your car.....is that really my car somewhere under there???

And soon enough, I will be asking the same thing about my schools...Is that really my Bishamon Elementary School under there?? (Note the candycane poles for reference...that's so we know where the fire exit is after the doors completely disappear for the gym hahaha....no seriously!!)

And so let's have the games come to a close for a bit on the blogging side of things and my super snowy memoirs...my bags are packed and Kuronekoed down to Narita Airport and I'm so looking forward to my 3-week trip back to mi querido Kansas and Wisconsin (and good old B'Gosh) with the beginning of the journey starting tomorrow evening. I think my Mom and Dad have been waiting for it like nothin' else, since I surprised 'em with the news a while back...We are a crazy crew!! ^_^

(Mamà y yo!!)

Luv you all, hope to hear from you and/or see you soon...God Bless!!

"Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers righteousness on you." ~Hosea 10:12-13

Weekends and the Week begins

I'm beginning to think the term..."weekend" is really just a jazzy way to say that the best part of the week is beginning!! Friday started off on a bit of a low note for me...I found out my best friend was sick, I wasn't feeling up to my day of teaching, and well it was just one of those mornings contemplating.... But on the way to work, I just kept praying and trying to get my Spirit up with music and God's fellowship. So here is it begins: My 3rd graders made me French Toast for a special English cooking lesson. It totally brightened my day...even the very soggy egg toast that could have used a few more minutes on the pan. (Note to the hygenists...a little raw egg never killed me as a kid!!)

I was able to spend that evening singing Christmas carols and having dinner at the Elliots...which since I spent the whole last Christmas season with them, it was very special for me. They are easily my family away from home. (And Anglea, a missionary from Germany, is in the picture.)

After battling the shower slots on Sat. morning with the 10ish Aussies that I'm currently sharing "my space" with hahaha (I'm so selfish!!)...it was off to Misawa to see the crew!! It's always such a refreshing trip for me...uplifting, connecting, reflecting. Spent Sat. chillin' with the Conlans...of which Drea and Ellie were recovering from being sick, so it was all relax watching Breakfast at Tiffany's, devotions, Ellie's teething struggles and new pink kitchen, and our lack of movement, we had a good day on the couch pretty much. ^_^

Then Sunday morning...off to a slow start...we headed over to make tamales for a traditional Christmas celebration done Mexican style (Mamà, I know you're gonna be so excited!!). Watch out, those Mexicans are feisty about their secret family tamale standards. Heard varying degrees of chili powder this, wrap like this, etc,etc from both Drea and Mike...but ultimately I had an awesome first tamale making experience and we ended up with some super tasty tamales, even with the gringos involved ^_^!! There was also of course guacamole, frijoles, arroz y polvorones to top it off...and a bit of Abuelita at the end. Check out my friends' blogs on the full out... Mike, who hosted the Christmas special, and Matt!

And who couldn't love sweet, lil' adorable Ellie ちゃん....

So life didn't quite get back to normal after the week began on Friday...I guess my mid-week slump was today, Monday!! I had an exciting turn at the stomach flu all thru the night....it's going like wildfire through the winds of Aomori. But it gave me a good opportunity to lay in bed all day and try to rest and recoup, call my parents and talk for endless minutes, miss the homepampering that one gets with a family...but to manage to make my own chicken soup and Sprite remedy, and to refocus my life back to God...so all is well with my soul, even if my body is still in shambles!!

バス男 (Napoleon Dynamite)

Of what discoveries will happen at the video store....and how my life is intertwined with it all...

None other than "バス男" (Bus Boy) hahaha...crack me up at the translation... or as more commonly known in English "Napoleon Dynamite"!! You see this movie goes way back for me....First off....

The gurl in red standing next to me is an old Japanese comrade of mine and native Idahoan now turned Arizonan. She, Autumn, and her husband, Jacob, showcased "Napoleon Dynamite" at my first ever church movie night about 8 months ago in Ajigasawa. (In case you have not had the viewing pleasure of this movie, it is based in Idaho which is it's own special world....kinda like Kentucky.) Next off...

On my journey to Mexico last summer, I met a gurl named "Althea" and her mom, Courtney. Well for those of you who don't know me...Althea is the name of my oldest and best of friends back in the States. I had never met another Althea 'til then. This gurl was the splittin' image of my friend, blonde hair and all, minus about 24+ yrs... And this lil' gurl's favorite movie was Napoleon Dynamite even at her young age of 3. She could readily quote from throughout the movie...yeah really!!! We had our share of adventures on the streets and buses of Mexico City. And lastly...

We all saw a double rainbow together over the plaza of the Basilica of Guadalupe. A sign of God's eternal covenant with us and all of the living creatures of the earth. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. (Genesis 9:13-15)

Some lovely quotes from バス男:

-"You look like a strong, young pup."

-"How does the dealy-o sound to you?"

-"Geez, I think you ripped my mole off!"

-"La Fawnduh"

-"I like your sleeves, they're really big." "Thank you. I made them myself."

-"Are you ready to get your groove on?" "Yes!" "Alright, then let's get started!"

And so ends my life as it is intertwined with Napoleon Dynamite!!

Lunch mishap

How do you eat a kiwi w/ chopsticks?

I was so excited for lunch today after a rather exhausting three 1st grade classes right in a row. My time of peace and refreshment (a.k.a. lunch) usually happens while sitting in my car as I travel from school to school. The seat was a bit reclined, the sun bright and cheery shining in the window and warming my face, and the book I had been reading was almost finished...I opened my lunch sack...and low and behold, my only eating utensil was chopsticks!! Needless to say this didn't bode so well for the kiwi I attempted to eat....and I wasn't feelin' up to the traditional N.Zealand way of eating it skin and all...but messy and green using chopsticks and fingers, I enjoyed it all the more!

バレー しばしば バレー (Ballet or Volleyball)

I always wanted to be a ballerina when I was a little kid. But believe it or not, I was too much of a chunk. I remember I attempted gymnastics for about 10 sessions...long enough for the instructor to readily comment on how heavy, fat, and awkward I was and long enough for my dreams of being an Olympic gymnast to rapidly fade hahaha....

As my days swiftly pass here in Japan, I've been learning not to take criticism so personally and to put my best foot forward in matters where I have little experience. So now that I could care less, chunk or not, I decided a few months ago that I was gonna be that ballerina...good or bad. My kid in the candy store moment came when I received my princess pink slippers. Nothing fancy but it did require about a 5-week shipping order to fulfill my enorme size 26.5 foot size here in Japan!!! Plz note that the ballerinas below don't look nearly as cute as the lil' ones with tutus...but even so, we have a jolly time. I've not only learned some ballet basics (as noted in title...it is pronounced the same as "volleyball" in Japanese which leads to some confusing conversations) but I've also gotten down those pesky " left, right, back, forward" Japanese terms to a swift kick. I hope to continue learning...preferably someday in English, or if nothing else to keep STRETCHING!! Maybe on my trip back to the States, I'll deck myself out in my own lil' tutu. But until then....the moral of the story is to "do something totally unexpected today or maybe find a lost dream"!!! It doesn't hurt (at least figuratively speaking) to try ^_^ !!

Hasta luego to a special Kiwi...

Louise came to live at the church at the exact time I did...9 months ago. She was a short-term missionary from New Zealand, the first kiwi I've ever talked with hahaha. Only through her did I learn the finer points of the N.Zealand culture, the slang, the awesome accent (way better than those Aussies...since I don't know too many...I don't think I'll be cut down on the spot ^_^!!). I experienced the TimTam Slam, Milo, and a variety of other unique words and things. But more importantly, we grew in Christ through our struggles, our blessings, and our encouraging. She was always a great source of inspiration both in her hard work and in her never-ending love of putting Jesus first in her life. Thxs Lou!!! For all the memories, the sacrifices I saw you give up, the strength in your walk and faith!!! I pray that that camp really pays off as your dad hopes ^_^!! Don't get lost in the boonies, ok?? "Ja ne" sleep talker chicachan....