Baby Showers, an American thing

Last weekend I threw a little baby shower for my friend Yuko. Little did I know this is mainly an American custom and doesn't extend much into Asia or even Europe at that! Her baby is a gurl and is due in early July. When she's told Japanese people that she's "5 months along", they have stared in shock at her size....saying "You're too BIG!" She only just realized that this is because the Japanese follow something to do with the lunar calendar for counting months...so she's actually "7 months along" to Japanese people, BUT either way...she's really due in July and she's looks so sweet with her little bundle. We joke that the size must be because Emma Grace, the little soon-to-be-seen one, is part Canadianish and other part Japanese. We are hoping that Emma Grace won't have the same layer of fat on her head when she is born...Yuko recounted that at birth her head was layered with a thick fat and her family believes it was because they used to eat fatty meat such as bear and whale quite regularly. She likes Mexican food (as much as me) and we both have a heart for the Midwest as she lived in Oklahoma during high school. I wish I could be around to be a part of Emma ちゃん's life, but I must be content with photos, stories, and emails that I will hear throughout the years....and the prayers that I can send from across the waters. I have been so blessed to have met Yuko through her husband, Luke, a fellow English teacher and missionary kid from Japan. One last comment- Yuko's grandmother makes the smashingest, tastiest, sourest plums around. If you're really nice, I might let you try a nibble from my stock ^_^ !!

(I can't remember what face we are supposed to be making...maybe Luke will remind me?)

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.

Karuta (かるた)

Karuta (かるた), the legendary art of playing cards or as my kids seem to think...the art of slapping every card visible in the hopes that one of them is right. So how it works is a topic is chosen with different vocabulary, cards are made using pictures, words, or symbols. My elementary school kids go ballistic when it's karuta time. I call out a word in English and then they must be the first to slap that same card with their cute little pudgy hands. Seems innocent enough at first, until a kid falls out of his seat and cuts open his lip (as happened today) or the bully of the group takes the card out of the timid girl's hand or there is one child in the group who has advanced English skills...which ruins it for the other kids.
"Rock, scissors, paper" is the only way to settle a dispute over who gets the winning card...but then again it's about the only way to settle any dispute in Japan. Here's a cutie shot of 3 year old Aran, my friend's son, who I tried to play original Japanese karuta with...he was a fast sucker!!! That and I could barely read out the Japanese fast enough on the hint cards to him...but he didn't mind. I love kids!!

HELP!! All of you computer techies...

I've tried everything to get my sidebar to reappear at the top of the screen (as it's now hovering shyly at the very bottom of the pink expanse of my cyberspace)... I've erased pictures, shortened titles, changed number of days/entries shown on main page....but NOTHING WORKS!! Any ideas, any ideas????? Please help!! (And no I'm not desperate....just don't wanna waste any more time over it ^_^ !!) Siempre...

The decision is made...Mexico!

This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD : "Go down to the potter's house, and there I will give you my message." So I went down to the potter's house, and I saw him working at the wheel. But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. Then the word of the LORD came to me: "O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does?" declares the LORD. "Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel. (Jeremiah 18: 1-6)

Through many prayers, blessings, events that most don't know about, and some much needed encouragement, God has guided me to the decision to return to Mexico this coming fall!! At least a decision as far as decisions can be made in the here and now!! I will be returning to my dear Mission Mazahua. I don't know how or when I'll be going, but I do know I'm EXCITED to see the work that God has set before me to help at the Mission!!!! They need my help in ways that God has gifted me, such as working with the artists and developing marketing materials, and I already know I will come away with much more than I can give by experiencing the generosity, humility, and strength of working alongside the Mazahua people. This mission has been heavy on my heart since I first became a Christian during which time my love for Mexico and its people have increased with subsequent trips there. Here are a few snapshots of the area...

For those of you who don't know the story, my mother lived in Mexico twice as she was studying to become a Spanish profesora. How random that of all the pueblos in Mexico she happened to live, one was Atlacomulco with a señorita named Consuelo Mercado. She stayed there when she was about my age...ummm...well ok maybe like when she was college-aged hahaha. I guess I can't use that phrase so much now as I'm almost 28!! This pueblo is, as the crow flies, a stones throw from the Mission. When I traveled to Mexico last summer, I went on an adventure to find the afore mentioned woman. My mother had lost contact with her over the years. After scouting the streets of Atlacolmulco for quite some time and pestering about every friendly person I could see with an crumpled and scribbled on paper stating a "Sur" (South) something or rather, I was finally directed to the Office of Addresses where I was expecting to find further help. However to my surprise, the Srta. Mercado was situated at the desk. She immediately knew who I was with one mention of Kathy, my mother. A remarkable woman...oh that would be both my mother and also Consuelo hahaha ^_^ ! Consuelo has since corresponded with my mom and I'm looking forward to visiting with her more as my time allows in Mexico.

So please pray for me spiritually, financially, and physically as I begin preparing for this new adventure. God is shaping me into that piece of clay that only He can see its final form!!

The face (顔)

Bishamon Elementary School (毘沙門小学校)

1st & 2nd Grade ( 一年生と二年生)

My favorite class of happy and silly monsters that can be found...and only 8 of them at that! They are so sweet and seemingly so shy...until you REALLY get to know 'em hahaha!!

For our final lesson of the year we studied facial parts...did some self-portraits and some pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey (or on the face) activities....

The self-portraits are a real treasure!

"Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work-this is a gift of God. He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart." ~Ecclesiastes 5:19-20

(I want to live this verse to the fullest EVERYDAY!! But it can be so hard to forget my gladness when I let other things cloud my mind...somehow it can be easier to remember the times of struggle than the times of joy and gladness!!!)

My Dream

(As written by my 7th graders...)

My Dream
I have a cat.
I see a white cat.
The cat is very small and very cute.
Cats make me warm.
The cat is sleeping next to me.
~Minami

My Dream
I'm spending our summer vacation in Australia.
So, it's four o'clock in the afternoon now.
It's a very hot day. I'm running to the river.
I enjoy playing in the water. Wow! It's six o'clock.
I come home. But, I am lost in the woods.
But, animals help me.
~Mako

My Dream
I am cooking dinner at home.
I have one husband and two children.
I go to the park every Sunday with my children.
Today is my child's birthday. I make a cake.
We are doing a birthday party.
Our family is happy.
~Ayana

My Dream
I'm standing on a cloud.
I see white clouds all around.
I look at the street from the cloud.
It looks very small.
~Masanori

My Dream
I'm holding wisdom and understanding.
"Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you."
I want to turn my face to God and shine like the glimmer of a snowflake in the sun.
~Sarah 先生

Sushi and snow festival fun!

100 円　Kaiten Sushi, Hirosaki

Scallops, hotate, are my favorite!

(Of course so are Bethany, Laurie, Sarah, and John.)

Hirosaki Park

The famous Hirosaki Castle in all its snowy splendor.

Randomly met a long-lost friend, Naomi, who moved away a year ago...small world!

Down the path of snow lanterns...and slippery at that. I only fell once as did about everyone else.

The whale really is blowing steam at me!!

My favorite food vendor lady...the festival food is my favorite. Just like having funnel cake in the States, it's the kinda food you can only get at special times, special places. And saying that I didn't get anything (sigh, sigh)...'cuz I was already full on sushi!!

Meditations on today

Complete silence. The world seems to stand still even while all is in motion...the scrapping of the wipers, music blaring, snow pounding, a distant howling, heater blasting, the winds speed quickly by, around, above, below...it is white and beautiful...in a scary dream. Lights come, two. Headlights.

Gray sky cowering over me, holding me down, pressing in on me. A break. Above there is blue sky.

When all the world around me is a cloud of white curtain, You Lord are forever present.

Occurances at the sweaty gym...

As usual I was the only foreigner in the fitness center that has equipment pulled from the early 80's...the puffed-up hair, dark eye makeup, and leotards on the blonde gurl in the demonstration pictures kinda of give it away. Anyways when I was on the treadmill today, I noticed a familar odor. I couldn't at first recognize if it was bad or good, but there it was and making me rake through my mind to bring the memory back. And then POW!! I remembered...the smell of my grandparents. That old age odor that is kinda sweet but objectionable. It was the old man plugging along next to me. I must of had the happiest, sweatiest, red face in the gym after that as I recalled so many nice memories of my Grandpa Ralph, Grandma Orpha, and my Grandma Mary Jane...my family members all have our own special stories about each of these amazing people, but of course I hold many more special ones in my heart that have yet to be written down....some day Mom & Dad!!!

And in other news...the snow saga continues. Another 20 cm expected tomorrow...well over 2 meters in about a week. The National Guard has been called to help dig out some of the prefectures south of us. Please pray for safety and warmth and springtime would be nice too!!

(The entrance to my middle school, 2006.)

(The entrance last year, 2005.)

(Some happy shovelers!)