A blonde foreigner wearing a kimono walked into a hotel lobby...

Do you remember this post? Well, December came and guess what? I got to wear my kimono!! I was a little worried for awhile because it seemed as if everyone forgot that I actually had it. But, come to find out, it they hadn't forgotten. The issue was that not just any Japanese person can help a foreigner put on a kimono. They actually have to have been trained in kimono-dressing! Whereas my vice-principal and nurse thought that it would be really neat if I could wear the kimono to my school's New Year's party, neither of them are knowledgeable in all things kimono. However, the week before the party, I had a reunion with Ayano (see below post) who happened to wear a kimono. Her ensemble gave my vice-principle an idea and she asked Ayano to save the day! The night before the party, Ayano, Ms. Takimoto, Ms. Takimoto's daughter, and I went to the local kimono shop where I purchased the additional things needed for my ensemble (including a special pair of socks and a bigger pair of shoes). Ms. Takimoto gave me the bright yellow obi and she and Ayano let me borrow several important (but expensive) undergarments. The night of the party, Ayano came to school and did my hair and wrapped, tied, and arranged my kimono. I'm not sure which of us had more fun! We then drove to a local hotel where the rest of the school staff exclaimed over my Japanese fashion and the hotel staff stared at the only blonde who was the only person wearing a kimono!

Ayano and me

My school nurse (Ms. Ichikawa) who gave me the kimono, me, and Ms. Takimoto

Christmas Party!!

My dear vice-principal decided to plan a Christmas party again this year! Last year, there were three of us young female teachers -- Ayano (Japanese studies), myself, and Mariko (home economics). Because I wasn't going to be around for the school's New Year festivities, Ms. Takimoto (my vice principal) thought it would be fun for the four of us to have a Christmas party at a local restaurant. She has been very motherly to us especially since we are near the ages of her daughters. Last year we enjoyed dinner, chatting, and a "Secret Santa" gift exchange (a first for the three of them!) Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons, both Ayano and Mariko no longer work at my school -- leaving me often lonely for young female conversation! However, this December we all enjoyed a reunion for our now annual Christmas party. In fact, they already started planning next years!

Ayano, Ms. Takimoto, myself, and Mariko

Aren't we cute???

Christmas Dinner

I can't complain anymore. I was blessed with a delicious "Christmas dinner" at school consisting of broccoli, bread, sausage pottage, a chicken leg (with its own two-paper cover), and chocolate-banana crepe. While I was utterly excited, my fellow teachers had difficulty eating their chicken. (Different cultures different taste buds!) Of course the best part of the meal for them was when I started trying to carry on lunch-time conversation. My attempted phrase: "In Japan, crepes are really popular aren't they?" My actual phrase: "In Japan there are carrot crepes aren't there?" At least they got a few laughs and I got a few legs!

I Love English in Japan (Tea Pot Edition)

I didn't know that Poland was a material.

Did you?

Youko's Birthday

One thing that I have been really blessed with this past fall has been an awesome group of single girls from the English church. Some are Japanese, some are Western, but all are sweet, loving and fun-loving. It has been a real blessing to get to know some more single Christians with similar goals and dreams. This past December 23rd was Youko's birthday. However, because a large majority of our group was going to be in our respective countries for Christmas, we decided to celebrate early. Our destination was Nagoya -- the closest "really big city." Leaving early in the morning, we took the local slow train. Our day consisted of Christmas shopping, eating all kinds of goodies, and just enjoying each-other's company and snapping random pictures with a big Happy Birthday sign.

(me, Sarah-Kiwi, Youko, a random llama, Joanna, the Other Sarah)

Trying on an incredibly gorgeous (and insanely expensive dress)
It wasn't my color!

Dinner at Outback
(Yep, Nagoya is a big enough city to know what Outback is!!!!)

Real Food!!!

The Birthday Girl

Christmas lights at Nagoya Station

Harp spotting!

When South America Abducted My Thanksgiving and Japan Thought My Mom Sent Me Drugs...

So way back in early November my dear parents packed me a Thanksgiving box filled with all kinds of American yummies.

(Sarah is just slightly crazed over the American head-sized jar of peanut butter)

Turkey gravy, four-cheese mashed potato mix, cranberry sauce, pumpkin bread mix -- all the essentials for an overseas thanksgiving were carefully packed. However, the box never came. A week passed. Another week passed. A third week passed. Thanksgiving came and went. Then, finally the box arrived -- with a Spanish tracking label...


...and a note stating that it had been carefully inspected by Japanese customs. Nothing was removed but my suspiciously looking loaf of banana bread had been unwrapped and pinched!

Marathon

And You Think My ENGLISH is Bad...

明日、私もセーラさんも日本語試験があります。午後十二時から四時まで日本語だけありません。私たちはちょっと心配しています。でも、頑張ります。

I Love English In Japan (Cannibal Edition)

I Agreed to do What?!?!?!

団子：On Supply and Demand

One of Japanese people's favorite traditional treats is dango （団子）　Dango are mochi balls (basically pounded cooked rice into a chewy gum-like texture) and stacked on a skewer. Based on the season, there are different varieties. For example, in spring light pink and green cherry blossom dango can be found while in the fall, chestnut dango is popular. In Kyoto especially, dango are popular because Kyoto embraces all things traditional. Of course, following the Japanese mindset, it was essential to try Kyoto dango! (As a side note, Japanese people like to label everything as "famous." For example, "Kyoto is famous for dango." Thus, when visiting an area, according to them, it is important to try all the famous foods associated with the regions (meibutsu)) Okay, back to the dango. Since I visited Kyoto with Mariko (the former home ec. teacher from my school), she really wanted to try Kyoto's famous dango. I am always up for desserts, so I didn't mind her request! While browsing a street-stall's menu, we were both surprised -- the selection included chestnut flavored, green tea, black sesame, anko (sweet red bean), and chocolate!!! Being American, I had to try the chocolate because that just sounded normal to me and the black sesame with gold flakes because that was just too novel! Being Japanese, Mariko had to try the green tea because that just sounded normal to her and the chocolate because that was just too novel!! Whereas I loved the chocolate covered rice balls (they tasted like chocolate-covered marshmallows only not quite so sweet!) Mariko found them literally repulsive! "Why would the storekeeper sell something so gross?" she pondered. I had to laugh. "If they want to attract tourists," I explained, "they are going to have to sell something that doesn't look like spinach or tar!"

Fall in Kyoto

There is a saying that goes something like this "You haven't seen Kyoto until you have seen it in the spring...but you haven't really seen Kyoto until you have seen it in the fall." Okay, maybe I just made that up, but it is totally true! This past weekend I had the chance to check off another one of my "While I'm in Japan, I want to ~ List." For three Falls now, I have wanted to see Japanese momiji (maple). I used to think that cherry blossoms were the most gorgeous of God's plant creations, but now that I have seen his fall palette, I might just have to rethink my decision. While walking the streets of old Japan, I questioned why I am so enamored with the change of seasons. I think that it is because I grew up in Florida where the seasons were labeled "Tourist Season" and "Off-Season." I now can understand my mom's pining for the North's fall -- it's beautiful! A word of warning though, I got a little carried away taking pictures of leaves. Enjoy (^~^)

Happy Thanksgiving

It's hard to believe that I have now officially spent my third Thanksgiving here in Japan. After the first one being the most difficult and unique (there is nothing like being treated to raw tuna in a school gym) and the second one being equally entertaining (Sarah's attempt at making mashed potatoes with essence of banana will always be an edible memory I won't want to relive) I actually wasn't expecting much. In fact, I tried not to think about the holiday too much just because I knew it would make me sad being here "alone". However, my attempt to avoid it was short-lived. Not only was I greeted by an adorable and entertaining Thanksgiving sign made by Sarah...




..but I was invited over to the American pastor's house for dinner. Because they have lived in Japan for thirty years, Thanksgiving isn't really part of their family tradition. However, their youngest daughter, Joanna, decided that this year she wanted to try her hand at making Thanksgiving dinner, and I was blessed to be invited. Feasting on chicken and gravy (turkeys are almost impossible to buy here) buttery mashed potatoes, real Southern iced tea, green beans, and apple crumble pie, it was almost as good as being home. (Okay, not really, but it really made me realize that I do have a lot in Japan to be thankful and I am never really alone).

Me and Joanna

Harp Playing and Awesome Teachers!

I finally did it!!

This past week, I had the chance to play for my teachers, students and their parents at my school's cultural day. The best part was when the curtain rose and there we sat! There was a unified gasp and then complete silence (after the third-year characters' cat-calls). For most of my students this was the first opportunity to see and hear a harp live. I was so grateful that I was the one that could share my love with them.
The next day, I performed at the elementary school in a community-wide concert! I was especially tickled that my awesome Japanese teacher and his wife (below) came to hear me. Dr. Takeyama had been gracious enough to teach me how to request a "harp-car" taxi (and bailed me out when I got completely overwhelmed on the telephone).


My vice-principal (below and left) also came to the concert as did Ms. Nakamura, the elementary-school's head-teacher (middle). Both of them were so kind in helping me in all-things harp.