Hamamatsu Castle

This weekend was a three-day holiday so I decided to take the opportunity to explore Hamamatsu's own castle. It was originally built by Tokugawa Ieyasu (don't ask me who he is, my Japanese history is still a bit rusty!) whose rule begin the Edo Period (1603-1867). According to the English brochure "many famous bettles" took place here. At the end of the Edo Period, the castle was destroyed, but ultimately rebuilt in 1958 by the people of Hamamatsu. Thus the new castle only looks like the old from the outside as the interior is a museum, but it was still fun to snap pictures!

Images of Fall

Yes, fall is coming.... The leaves are changing, the air is getting cooler (actually its freezing for this Floridian who currently has no heat in her apartment) and today seemed like an appropriate time to make mini caramel apples.

Happy Birthday Daddy!!!!

This is my absolutely favorite picture of Daddy and me taken the Christmas I was shocked to find my harp "under" the tree. But, although Daddy spoils me to no end (yes, I am a princess and I know it :-) it isn't the presents or treats that he has given me that makes him so special. Instead it is his wise discernment, loving spirit, guiding hand, and love for God that has helped shape me into who I am today. Though Daddy and I share many things, one of the strongest is our desire for adventures and traveling. In fact, even as a young girl any trip with Daddy (even to Home Depot ) was an adventure. He was the first to take me on a plane ride at age nine and to Japan at age 16, and before I left this time he encouraged me "to stop at red lights, but always go on yellow, because green may never come." However, he also encouraged me to never forget Psalms 103. Happy birthday dearest, Daddy. I love you and miss you and wish I could be there to celebrate with you.

Basu Blessings

If I had a picture of me kissing a bus, I would post it. But, alas, I don't make it a habit of showing public displays affection to vehicles so this posting will have to suffice. I must confess that several months ago, I wasn't thinking particularly Christian words regarding the incredibly confusing bus system here (for a recap, see Basu Blues) but today, I was twice blessed by my "arch enemy." Transporting incredible amounts of toilet paper (see below) to and from school is no easy task; however, sticking out in Japan is quite simple. This morning, as I was racing to my bus stop lugging 12 rolls of tp, my computer and purse, all I could do was dash towards the bus stop when I saw the bus turn the corner. However, I am no sprinter and didn't make it in time. As I stood panting watching the bus drive towards me and away from the stop, I was completely shocked when it paused where I was standing, and the incredibly nice driver opened the doors, and beckoned me on board. Then tonight, when lugging 18 rolls of tp, my computer, and purse, I accidentally left my purse on board. Of course, I didn't realize my incredibly blonde moment until I reached my front door (yes it had my camera, cell phone, house keys...) However, my awesome neighbors called the bus station (and fed me dinner) and a panic alert went out to all buses on my line for the eigo no kaban (English bag). Within twenty minutes it was located and placed on the next bus headed for my stop. As for the camera, house keys, and cell phone -- it is only in Japan that things remain untouched!

When you give middle schoolers toilet paper...

...they will make mummies no matter where they live!!!

Is it a toilet or a slide?

What about both...






On the way to English camp, several other counselors and I found came across this elephant structure. Between his legs was the entrance for a small bathroom. Its always been said that the Japanese use space wisely!

What You Can Buy in a Vending Machine in Japan

Cigarettes.

Noodles

Eggs (there is no refrigeration on this one)

I have also seen beer (sorry no camera at the time), toothbrushes, razors, and underwear. However, the latter three were in a vending machine at a public bath so it didn't quite seem polite to pull out my camera!

I Love English in Japan (Part 4)

I am slowly uploading my pictures and responding to emails from these past three months of silence. So please bear with me. In the meantime, I found this on a 30-ring file.

If we are going to discuss the type of binder that appeals to my comfort and different life, I don't think it would be a 30-ring one. In fact, the only other kind that can be found here in Japan is a 2-ring binder. Geometrically, this kind doesn't work too well either since the rings are in the middle of the binder thus causing the paper to shift one way or the other out of notebook. I think I might need to get some three-ring binders imported. Does anyone know of an international office supply store? :-)

P.S. On a side note, you cannot buy Duck Tape here, but the Japanese equivalent -- Rabbit Tape =:>]

I'm in Love!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have totally fallen head-over-heels in love and I just want to be the first to share the exciting news. Please meet Mo or should I say, Mr. Dem. I have had a major crush on him from afar for the past three months, but it was just this Thursday that our relationship became serious. He lights up my life and he wakes me up every morning with a cup of coffee (yes, I drink coffee now!) He believes that communication is extremely important especially with my family and friends, and his first gift to me has been the world. Please call or email me so that I can introduce you to my own Mo dem.

Halloween in Japan

This past weekend, I was invited to be a counselor at an English Halloween camp for elementary school students. Halloween is celebrated in Japan in decorations only (ie there are pumpkin pictures and black cats, but its really hard to find an actual orange pumpkin and no one trick-or-treats); therefore, the purpose of the camp was to be a cultural exchange program for the children to introduce them to many of the traditions of the holiday. I loved the opportunity not only to interact with the students but also because it provided a bit of home for me (of course, the Australian, New Zealand, and UK counselors were a bit baffled with some the activities)! Over the course of the weekend, my nine second grade campers and I carved jack-o-lanterns, went trick-or-treating, made s'mores (which they didn't like), ate a "traditional" Thanksgiving dinner (complete with turkey, cranberry sauce, pasta, and some unidentifiable ginger/fish cake -- a new "American" tradition for me:-), had chili dogs, and bobbed for apples. It was so much fun to share my culture with them and enjoy all the imported goodies.



Teaching both my team-teacher (from Australia) and girls how to carve pumpkins.

Getting ready to go trick or treating!!!

The girls hated the turkey, but the next morning they happily enjoyed fish and seaweed for breakfast. Needless to say, my appetite's enthusiam was reversed.

Hanging out in the dorm room (notice the futons in the closet). Looks a little bit different than my camping experiences back home!

I Love English in Japan (Part 3)

Found on a package of paperclips!

Imo Picking

My first year junior high school students have an imo (Japanese sweet potato) patch and I, along with several kindergarten schools were invited to pick the tubers with them. Below are some pictures from our day at the field before the typhoon hit (but that's another story :-)

One of the very few pictures of me since I am usually behind the camera!

Some of my boys (they usually clown around for the camera whereas the girls are frequently shy)
Wouldn't you love to come to kindergarten in a Thomas the Tank Engine bus?

If I was a farmer, I would wear the exact same outfit :-)

Isn't she cute? She was so proud of her baby imo.
Ganbatte (Try your best!)

The Sobbing of a Thousand Million Souls

It is so hard to believe that I have been in Japan for 2 months now! So many things have happened to me... the stories of the past weeks are too numerous to recount. However, life has not always been easy and I frequently question why am I here? Why Japan? What is my purpose here?

About a month ago I was especially struggling with these questions and asking for some answers. Then while hiking around the grounds of a Buddhist temple it dawned on me that the Japanese constantly seek peace -- in nature, in daily life, in meditation, and cultural activities. However, it cannot be found here. Although the temples are meant to be a relaxing, religious places, they lack all that the Japanese people seek. The weight of the gravity of this pagan society really struck me. People come to pray to whom they know not, donate money to buy their way to heaven, and offer sacrifices to please the gods. Peace is what they seek, but it cannot be found here. Recently, my mom sent me a hymn book from New Tribes Mission entitled Songs of Challenge. One song, though maybe not completely theologically correct, really touched me.

Have you heard the sobbing of a thousand million souls submerged in darkest heathen night? Vainly groping for the way that leads to hope and peace, they plead and wait for gospel light. Have you heard the sobbing of a thousand million souls, by superstitious chains enslaved? Can you longer be indifferent to their sad estate? Thro' Jesus they can all be saved. Can you hear the sobbing of a thousand million souls who seek relief of heart in vain? Let them have the blessed gospel that can freedom give and rend the chains of sin in twain. A thousand million souls are dying, a thousand million souls for whom the Saviour died; Can you still deny their plea, can you longer idle be, while a thousand million souls are dying?

I have been given the gift of true peace. Although I cannot change hearts and lives, I can share the truth. With God's assistance I can be salt and light. That is why I am here. I may never know exactly why, but no matter the challenges I face, I know I am not here alone and I am here for a reason.

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27

Nope, No Internet!

My modem was delivered this week, but after hooking it up, and attempting to translate all kinds of directions with a dictionary, I came to the conclusion that there was a problem. One of my neighbors confirmed my "discovery" today. My telephone line isn't working and the phone people won't be able to come for the next 2-4 weeks. So, in the meantime, I guess I will eat soft serve ice cream out of a squeeze bag! I miss you guys.

The Earthquake!!! (Practice)

On the first day of school, the Earthquake detectives ( I don't know what they are really called, but they sure looked like Ghostbusters to me!) showed up to check the school's warning equipment.

Then there was the mass running of the students.

And finally waiting for instructions before we teacher walked them home.

This face can't be trusted

I hope this posting doesn't negatively influence this gentleman's political campaign, but I must inform my readers that his face can't be trusted. Let me explain: When I first moved into town, I attempted to find landmarks to help me decipher between the many new roads (reading signs just isn't effective right now :-) Anyway, this poster was at the end of my apartment's street, so I assumed it would be a wonderful guide. Umm.... let's just say I was wrong! Like any political campaign in the States, there are posters everywhere and soon I found myself wandering up and down all kinds of new roads with absolutely no clue where I was. Of course, the opportunity allowed me to explore new parts of my neighborhood that I otherwise might have never seen!

So What's Really Going On....

Hello dear Readers,
I thought I would give you an update. As seen from the above picture, I am acclimating to Japanese life a little bit more everyday :-) Actually, though, I thought I would give you a summary of some of the things that have been happening to me this past month in Japan. Currently, I still have no Internet (hence the very tardy response time I have had in responding back to your emails.... I am sorry, I will get to them, but whenever I find a connection, I figure I should post so that I can reach more of you. Thank you though for all of your notes and letters, each and everyone is appreciated and hearing from home is such a wonderful thing! I still get homesick often). Tomorrow is the first day of school, though I technically will not be teaching until Thursday (too complicated to explain why). I have been told that most of Monday will be spent in earthquake drills. My instructions from my vice-principal: Grab helmet. Run.

When I actually do begin classes, I will be responsible for teaching English conversation to both 2nd and 3rd year Junior High School students (approx. 330) as well as the entire six grades of my elementary school (too many students to count). I am really looking forward to meeting my students and getting back into the classroom especially since much of the past few weeks has been spent in training.

Other than that, I have had oh, so many adventures including three different crash (or should I say splash) courses in Japanese plumbing. I have gotten lost more times than I can count. I have eaten all kinds of unidentifiable things, and learned that it is perfectly appropriate to pick ones teeth and trim ones toenails in public. However, it is completely rude to put someone else's business card in your pocket. Additionally, my Japanese is getting a little bit better every day (of course, I did tell my neighbor "Marine, Marine" instead of "I'm sorry I don't understand"). In fact, I have had to give several introductory speeches in Japanese (i.e. to the mayor, head of the school board, my principal, my vice-principal, my fellow teachers). However, do not be impressed, they basically have gone as follows: "It's nice to meet you. My name is...... I am from the United States. I have been in Japan since August. My hobby is playing the harp. Please take care of me."

Well, my Internet time is up. I miss you all.
Lots of Love,
The Tentmaker

I Love English in Japan! (Part 2)

Found on the back of a glass picture frame.

Operation Keki

Basu Blues

Trip 1: Can't find the bus stop, ask the neighbors.
Trip 2: Find the bus stop, get to school.
Trip 3: Get on the wrong bus from school (don't know its the wrong bus), get kicked off, walk 2 miles home.
Trip 4: Repeat Trip 2.
Trip 5: Repeat Trip 3.
Trip 6: Repeat Trip 2.
Trip 7: Get on the right bus, don't know how to stop bus, walk 2 miles home.
Trip 8/9: Successfully make it to and from school.
Trip 10: New bus, successfully make it to the city.
Trip 11: Miss last bus of the night, have to take a taxi home (note to self, buses are cheaper).
Trip 12: Forget which stop is for the school, walk 2 blocks back.
Trip 13: Stop at the store on the way home from school, find out that there are no buses from store to home, walk 2 miles with groceries.
Trip 14: New bus to mall. Old man pokes me to get off at right stop, bus driver has to help with the currency, old man points me in the right direction (think "it takes a city to raise a bus rider").
Trip 15: Try to go from mall to home (not far!) end up in the city, have to take a train home (plan 1 would have been cheaper).
Trip 16: hmmm.... what new adventure is waiting?

I Love English in Japan!

What's a Code Holder and a Bath Fook?

On a drink vending machine.

Hmm....

Priorities

Need I say more???

Scenes from My Neighborhood

I actually don't live in downtown Hamamatsu, but in a little fishing town 15 minutes west by train. It is known for its clamming and these tiny little fish (I don't know what they are called) that look mysteriously like the wormy things from The Little Mermaid. The first time I ate the fish I thought that they were fried onions (think French's Fried Onions) until I saw there silvery eyes staring back at me. Let's just say that I lost my appetite. Of course, the next day I was served them raw.... Life does that sometimes!

Bet you didn't know I lived on Rodeo Drive!!!

Sushi hasn't killed me yet!

Dear Readers,

I apologize for the extremely lengthy delay in posting. Internet access has been quite difficult to locate and when I finally have found it I am frequently blocked from this website. I still am waiting for my own connection (for some reason foreigners need a special permit to register for Internet -- don't ask why as we can buy cell phones just fine :-) In the meantime, I will relish this spotty connection for as long as I can....

Anyway, obviously, I have made it. These past few weeks have been quite a whirlwind of adjusting and sitting in hours and hours of training. It has been extremely helpful, but sometimes there is only so much the brain can take. I feel as though I am finally adjusting to this new adventure -- and an adventure it has been!

The Next Phase

Just to let you know I am leaving for Hamamatsu today.... The training has gone well and has been very informative, but there has been little time for communication. Thank you, though, for all of your notes and emails. They have been so encouraging and I really appreciate them. I am sorry I have not had a chance to respond back to each yet, but don't worry as soon as I have my own Internet access I will :-) Until then, take care, be well and do good work! I will let you know when I actually get Internet -- it could be up to a month.

I made it!

Hi Everyone,
I made it... Thanks to a choice of 352 movies, multiple books, and the wonders of Tylenol PM, the 12 hour flight really wasn't too bad (oh, and the "midnight" snack of ice cream definitely helped!) Once arriving into the Narita airport, us 27 Miami JETS were met by an incredible staff of yellow-shirted people spaced literally several feet apart throughout the entire airport... There was no way we could get lost! On the way to our hotel, we passed Tokyo Disney (a must-see sometime) but alas, I didn't get pictures of the castle poking through the high-rises. Speaking of pictures, due to some strategic packing (notice the sarcasm) I have managed to not bring my camera cord with me to Tokyo to download pictures. So, they will appear later once I am reacquainted with my baggage in Hamamatsu. Well, dear friends, I should close... though there is so much more I would like to tell you it will have to come later. My time on the computer is up. Take care.

A travel update

Posted by Erin

Continental Flight 7

DEPARTS ARRIVES City: Houston, TX (IAH) Gate: E7 Check-in Terminal: Terminal E Scheduled Time: 10:50 a.m. Actual Time: 10:52 a.m. Scheduled Date: Sat., Aug. 2, 2008 City: Tokyo, Japan (Narita) Gate: 17 Terminal: Passenger Terminal 1 Scheduled Time: 2:20 p.m. Actual Time: 1:42 p.m. Scheduled Date: Sun., Aug. 3, 2008 Status: Arrived Gate 38 Minutes Early

We give thanks that Emily made it to Tokyo. We haven't heard from her yet, but her plane has arrived.

I am sure that Emily will fill in the details when she gets more settled, but I did hear that each of her bags weighed in at exactly 70 lbs, which is the weight limit. Her brother-in-law Nathan (my husband) works for Continental and checked on her flight and it was completely booked. She did, however, manage to get a window seat so that she could nod off against the window, rather than a fellow passenger.

The Adventure Begins

An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered. G. K. Chesterton



Just for a basic itinerary: Tomorrow the adventure begins starting with a five o'clock ETA at the Miami International Airport. Once I arrive in Tokyo (approximately 1 am Florida time on Sunday) there will be three days of training and then I will take a bullet train to Hamamatsu on Wednesday.


In the meantime, I have to go to bed. Goodbye dear friends. I don't know when I will have Internet access again, but keep checking the blog (and send me a note :-) I am praying for you all and look forward to sharing all the adventures God has in store for me.

To Pack or Not to Pack....

How do you pack your entire life in 2 suitcases and a carry on? This past week has been definitely a challenge as I have had to once again determine what is truly important. Goodbye to the matching hot pink shoes and purses; goodbye to the ice cream maker and parfait dishes; hello to down-sizing and the wonders of vacuum cleaner bags (and fabulous sister who know how to use them)!

In all actuality, I have been blessed. Japan is hardly a third-world country. Most things that we as Americans are used to (minus toothpaste and deodorant for some unknown reason) can be purchased there. Of course, I also have been told that people of "unusual sizes" (like this long-legged, big-footed author) have difficulty finding clothes that fit.... All in all, packing really hasn't been too difficult, just a learning experience. It has forced me to consider what is important, necessary, and remind me most of home.

However, one of my most prized possessions, Madame Eglantine has been forced to stay behind. Being over six-feet tall, she is just a little too big to squeeze into my suitcase. Please pray that I can locate a harp once I get there. I have several leads, but it is a bit challenging to do long distance communication (in a foreign language no less!)