Thailand Day 1: I stepped off the plane...

...the air was warm and smelled of spices. It enveloped me completely. It was going to be a wonderful trip. I just knew it!

And so the adventure began...

Finally arriving at our hotel around midnight, we were each greeted with our own rooms twice the size of our Japanese apartments complete with a mini kitchen and king-sized bed. Mine also had an extra bonus of a gecko! They told me he was harmless -- I slept with a bowl beside my bed anyhow just in case I needed to capture him.

The next morning we discovered all-you-could-eat pancakes on the veranda! Pancakes -- the food of the Thai gods (unfortunately not the Japanese ones though :-( These two westerners were in heaven!!

Then it was time to explore Bangkok and its colorful public transportation system. On a side note, Bangkok has a monorail kind of like Disney's! (no photo -- sorry!)

We successfully made it to the miles and miles of the Chatuchak weekend market (but once again completely forgot to take pictures)!! Our morning was spent navigating through stall after stall of goods. The buy of the day? My $10 suit coat with long enough sleeves!!

In the afternoon, we met Danny Keasler (a former Stetson and FSU colleague, who is now a viola professor at a local Thai music school) for lunch.

The afternoon delicacies included a coconut shake and curried chicken rice in a pineapple.




Afterward, we continued to explore the market and the surrounding city where we happened upon many street restaurants. Its hard to see in the picture, but the ladies are doing the dishes in the buckets. Needless to say we didn't eat here (or any other place that maintained similar practices)
Each of the tables were covered with huge plates of vegetables. I think it was kind of like the Thai-version of Roadhouse Grill in the States except instead of eating peanuts out of buckets you could eat cucumbers and cabbage.


When the heat finally sapped all the energy from us, we discovered Swensen's ice cream. (Oh, how I love big cities that support western restaurant practices!!!!) As you can see, Sarah needed a chocolate/coffee fix! (Yes, she ordered and ate both -- she is just about as bad as me sometimes when it comes to ice cream)


I, on the other hand, discovered what happens when you order a sundae with bananas and rainbow sprinkles in Thailand. You get a sundae and bananas and sprinkles!

It was delicious, but kind of puny in comparison with Sarah's so I ordered a milkshake too! Thai prices made it all possible!! Its a good thing I don't live here permanently. I could get used to $0.60 ice creams!

My religious faith teaches me that I am just as safe in an earthquake and nuclear meltdown as in bed

I figured I should actually write something to update you on what's going on here (at least from my perspective). I'm sorry I haven't written earlier -- writing isn't usually my "go to method" when dealing with things (calling home is instead ;-) Thank you all for your calls, notes of concerns and prayers. I have really appreciated the outpouring of support!

First and foremost, I should say that I am safe (as noted in my title's parody of Stonewall Jackson's famous quote). For your reference, I have included a map to show you my location (blue dot) versus the nuclear plants (green pin). I am honestly very far away which is a blessing (sorry its in km I couldn't figure out how to create the map into miles)! However, this past week has definitely been a roller coaster of emotions. Not only have there been quite a few after-shocks, but also this past Wednesday there was another earthquake. Although it wasn't quite as strong (and only caused minimal damage) it was closer and so I felt the effects more than the first one (even more so since I live on the third floor!) As for the nuclear reactor stuff, it almost seems as if everyone is reporting something different. Because the American news is notorious for exaggerating the truth and the Japanese for not always telling the whole truth (or at least in a direct manner), its hard to know who to believe. However, today all throughout Japan the radiation levels were posted. My prefecture, Shizuoka, is currently (and expected to maintain) in the "safe" levels.

While the USA is assisting people in leaving the country, at this point I don't feel that I need to go. While saying this, I and my family are still closely monitoring all that's going on. Tomorrow, Sarah and I leave for a five day (pre-planned) trip to Thailand. I am grateful for this chance to have a little spring vacation (and pet a tiger, bathe an elephant, and be away from the media). However, I am aware that things in Japan might change and I am preparing my departure with this in mind.

I especially ask for your prayers at this time. As I have said before to my family, I just don't feel that my time her in Japan is over. I believe God has more things for me to do in this dark country. However, if it is His will for me to depart, I will accept it knowing that His plan is perfect. He has never failed me during the past 27 years of my life and I know for certain that He never will.

I can sleep at night for this very reason and because of this I feel that my adopted country needs more prayers than I do. They don't have the same comfort and peace. They desperately need God!!! Thus, I urge you to join in prayer with my three-year-old niece Clara who announced yesterday in Chick-fil-A "we need to pray for the people in Japan" and right then and there did so! Please pray for them, especially my teachers (some of whom have been directly affected by the tragedies of this past week). Pray from me, that I will be renewed and refreshed in Thailand and that I can make wise decisions regarding my return. Pray for my family -- these past few weeks have been a roller coaster for them too!

In Him Who Is All-Powerful,
Emily

Earthquake!

Just to let you know, I am safe after today's earthquake - considered to be the worst in the past 140 years. There were a lot of tremors today at school with the entire building swaying at times, but there wasn't any damage. Currently, cellphone service is down (but the internet works!) Please pray for the people in Tokyo. There has been a lot of devastation there!

True Friendship (with a side of brussel sprouts!)

As a surprise, Sarah bought me a plant today -- even though she knows I will kill it!
God has truly blessed me with a wonderful "wall-mate"!

Maybe That IS What It's All About!

A month ago ago or so, I had a discussion with my dear cousin Heidi about the Hokey-Pokey. I don't exactly remember how we started the discussion or the actual point of it, but the resolution, at least on my side, was the "Hokey-Pokey" actually does teach some life lessons. I mean, so often (and especially here in Japan) we have to do the "right" thing and follow societal rules. But, occasionally it is okay to just wave your arms and dance freely and do the "Hokey-Pokey"! This past Friday I was asked to teach a special class to the fourth graders on English "play" songs. Needless to say, we learned the "Hokey Pokey" along with "BINGO" and "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes" Now, I usually don't teach this young of an age, but I wish I did because they were so much fun -- so energetic and so oblivious to societal "don't express your true feelings" mask that most of my kids have developed. Here are some pictures of our fun... (and if you look closely you might notice my fashion changed during the course of the day as I attempted to stay as cool as possible during the 4 hour straight "Hokey-Pokey" dance routine -- boy did I feel old and stiff when the day was over!)

The kids also taught me some Japanese "play" songs including...

"the Bottomless Soup Pan"

the Japanese version of "One Potato, Two Potato"

the Japanese version of "Red Rover, Red Rover"
(which involved sticking out your tongue and making an ugly face -- sorry no pictures! -- and accidentally flying slippers)

A crazy bounce the ball, clap your hands, kick your leg, turn around game...

...needless to say, I spent most of my time chasing my ball and avoiding kicking it into one of the kids faces (I was smart enough to remove my slippers by this time!)Then as a special treat, the in-coming first-graders visited from the local kindergarten
(in their masks of course!)

雛祭り(Girl's Day): Emily Style (A.K.A. Japan goofed!)

This coming Thursday is Girl's Day the fabulous sounding holiday where Japanese girls visit other girls homes and look at their beautiful dolls and eat special sweets and sushi. I think it is the most exciting holiday -- a giant national tea party -- what could be better!! I used to want buy my own dolls, but since I don't have an extra $800-$1500 lying around I haven't (I keep hoping I can find a cheaper version!) However, my dear friends at Baskin-Robbins offered a wonderful different alternative! Yes, a hina doll set made out of ice cream!!!!! Can you think of anything better or more appropriate?!?!

I was sooooo excited I couldn't stop talking about their cuteness. So, I decided to have my own doll viewing party. First, I recruited Sarah and Helen. The three of us bipassed the traditional sushi for pizza. (Hey, it was my party. I could do whatever I wanted ;-)


Then we opened the frozen box of goodness. Except something wasn't quite right.... Below is the advertised set and below it "my doll set." Can you spot the difference? Look closely ;-)

Spring is Coming!

My Attempt at Jewelry Making

Last weekend I was at the mall where a bunch of stores were having a "Going Out of Business" sale. While poking through the stuff, I found this necklace. I at first thought it was really hideous (the picture doesn't actually do its ugliness justice)...


...but I really liked the metal bead. So, I bought the entire necklace and decided to completely remake it.


With the help of some pliers and several random jewelry connector thingies that I bought at the local craft store...
...I was able to make a really fun new necklace and "matchy-matchy" earrings!
I was so successful, I decided to attempt another project and convert a pearl kimono fastener I had to buy for my New Year's kimono into a bracelet.


It, too, came out pretty spiffy if I do say so myself. Now if I only could figure out how to fix my Promise ring I could become a professional jeweler ;-) (It is heading back to the shop for the third time!!! Which is actually quite funny because every time I get it after its long absence, my kids are totally convinced that I got engaged over the weekend!)

I Did It!!!

Now it's time to study for Level 4.
Wish me luck!

The Beautiful Butterfly Believer

So Wednesdays seem to be my new church devotional night. Here is this weeks:

When I taught kindergarten several years ago, my students did a study on the life cycle of the butterfly. For two weeks, we observed the tiny eggs, the fat awkward caterpillars, and three beautiful green and gold chrysalises. Then, one day, one of the jewel-colored homes turned black. Through the clear shell, the folded-up butterfly could be seen. Several hours later, the chrysalis started to wiggle and jiggle. Very slowly, the butterfly began to break free...

Recently I read somewhere that butterflies must break out of their chrysalises by themselves. The struggle of pushing through their protective covering pumps blood through their wings and gives them the strength to ultimately fly. If an outside source -- such as a seemingly helpful human -- interferes, the butterfly will be permanently damaged and unable to flutter away.

When I look at the butterfly, I think of how we should be as Christians. As the egg holds the gift of life, we as Christians have the precious gift of faith. Like the hungry caterpillar, we should fill ourselves with the richness of the Gospel. Like the chrysalis, we should wait patiently for God's direction. And like the butterfly, we should push through the difficult times. These challenges will teach us lessons and make us stronger so that we can minister to others in their need. For like the butterfly, we are bearers of beauty -- Christ's beauty - and He has given us the power to soar above the worldly distractions that keep us from doing His work.

Skiing in Hakuba, Nagano

Friday, February 11th, was National Foundation Day. Now, I don't know what National Foundation really is. All I know, is it was a holiday!!! So, in celebration of National Foundation (or maybe just because ;-) a group of us from the English church decided to go skiing. Now before, I go too far into my story, I should mention that I have "skied" once -- more like tumbling down a Santa Fe, New Mexico mountain wearing a pair of skies and hoping that a dear Terhune friend or two would rescue me. Sarah, on the other hand, has never skied. Everyone else -- well, let's just say that they were probably born in skies. Anyway, back to my story... To properly ski in Japan, one must trek to Nagano (the site of the 1998 Winter Olympics). Its not particularly close to Hamamatsu so we took at night bus.

First we left at 10 p.m...

...then we arrived at 3 a.m....

...we awoke to a lovely snowy sunrise around 6...

...and ate chicken Caesar wraps at Subway for breakfast...

...took a group shot in all of our bus-head glory...

...then it was time to hit the slopes!!

How naive we were!

And stylish too!!
(thanks to one of my teachers, I didn't have to rent any skiing gear
--- I got to borrow his 80s ensemble instead!!)

But we were fearless...

...because we had expert teachers such as Suguru-san (above) and Daisuke-san (whose picture sadly got buried in the snow in a tumbling camera -- not mine I might add ;-)

So up the ski lift we rose...

...with our skis waving free!

Look at those innocent smiles!

And then we skied...
(if you can call it that!)

Finally we had the faces of reason...

...but no broken bones!!!

...and some really cool pictures of very snowy homes...

...okay, I admit, I don't think they were homes, but what else would rhyme with lodge...

...except maybe a mountain mirage?

Setsubun

February 3rd, the day before the official start of spring, was Setsubun (A.K.A. Bean-Throwing Festival). According to tradition, people are supposed to throw beans outside of their houses to scare the "evil" (or devils) away while welcoming in "happiness." Last year, my only celebration of Setsubun was being hit by some beans while a little girl was shouting "oni wa soto fuku wa uchi" ("devils out luck in"). However, this year, I had the chance to enjoy several Setsubun traditions including two full Setsubun meals at school (sorry I forgot to take a picture -- twice). However, they included lots of beans (if you eat the number of beans equal to your age you will supposedly get good luck) and whole fish (supposedly hanging the fish skeleton's scare the demons away too). Then, that evening, Helen asked if I would eat the traditional uncut eho-makizushi ("lucky direction roll") (see below). Neither of us are sushi fans but it was the experience, not the food, that was the point.


Supposedly eating eho-maki in silence while facing the year's "lucky direction" (this year it was southeast) will bring additional luck. Helen decided to try -- though I am not sure it was exactly in silence!
I on the other hand, decided to break traditional practices and "undress" my sushi. I honestly can't stand the seaweed! Our dinner concluded with hot fudge sundaes. Unfortunately once again, I forgot to take a picture of my take on the Japanese holiday -- "demons out (and take your sushi with you) happiness in (always in the form of chocolate and ice cream ;-)"

The Linchgate Oak

This week I was asked to write for the English church's thought-of-the-day/devotional. Here is my blurb for your reading pleasure:

I took the above picture a few weeks before I came arrived in Japan. The tree, called the Linchgate Oak, is quite well-known in Tallahassee, Florida. Though Florida's droughts, hurricanes, and intense heat have affected the oak, it still has survived. In fact, its enormous size shows that it has not only survived but actually prospered!

The Linchgate Oak is a great visual reminder of the Psalmist's description of the blessed man. "He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers." (Psalms 3:1) The prophet Jeremiah states it this way "He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out it roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." (Jeremiah 17:8)

To be blessed is to be like the Linchgate Oak. Just like the tree must depend on God to provide the necessary sun and water for nourishment, we must rely on Him to provide for our every need. The tree has deep roots that keep it in the ground when Florida hurricanes come. We, too, need to be rooted in our faith so that we aren't defeated by the challenges we encounter daily. However, the part I think that I like best, is the fact that the tree "yields fruits in its season." God has a plan for each of our lives. Just like the pastor said on Sunday, we should not compare ourselves with others. God's will for our own life will be revealed in time -- in God's time! To be "blessed" is to grow and be fruitful in Him.