Shinohara Elementary Sports' Day (A.K.A. The Battle of Shinohara Onions and Sweet Potatoes)

Stretching

"Rainbow" Exercises

Shoes and socks -- a chance to show individuality!

Here we come!

You know you are in Japan, when all the shoes are neatly lined up

The intense cheer leader!

First graders enjoying their first Sports Day!

Bamboo Relay

My favorite shot of the day

A close second

Getting ready to dance a traditional Japanese dance

The "big pants" race

Courtesy of one of my kids!  During the course of the day, I was asked whose mother I was, if I was a girl or boy, and informed that the English teacher at the same school had the same name as me!!  I guess nobody recognized me!!  No wonder, I hardly recognize myself, too!

The shogun of the battle

Tamanegi Jyo -- Onion Castle

Preparing for the battle

The battle has begun

What happens when there is an explosion, fire and smoke -- the photographer gets startled and takes an "awesome" photo of the sky

Take Cover!!  Satsuma Imo Jyo (Sweet Potato Castle) is under siege

The damage minus the burned teacher and student -- Wonder if they will have the battle again next year?

Mom, aren't you proud??

My school nurse has always had a keen interest in me, but since my vice-principal was transferred to a new school in April, she has now decided to take it upon herself to really "mother" me. (Not that I mind of course ;-) And, even though she can't speak a word of English, she is very patient and is always eager to learn new words, too!

Recently she invited me to join her flower arranging class and was thrilled when I agreed to come. She told me that she had specially ordered a "preserved flower" arrangement for me to make so that I could take it home to my mom when I returned to the states. She was so excited that I would be able to take flowers back home that she couldn't stop talking about it!!

While all the other members in the class were cutting fresh blooms and making "less is more" arrangements, I was gluing, tying ribbons, and carving foam, in my attempt to follow the "special" arrangement diagram I was given. When I was finished the ladies kept on commenting on my "special talent." "Your mother will be so proud of your work!! She will be so impressed" Now, I can't say that I believe a glue gun requires too much talent nor do I think that I will be able to transport my arrangement back home -- it's quite big honestly -- but I did think it was important to show you my very "simple" "no-frills" flower arrangement.

Canyoning!

Several weeks ago, one of the guys from church decided he wanted to go canyoning for his birthday and invited the rest of us along. Needless to say, I didn't know what canyoning was (it is actually non-existent in the USA) and it was a good thing I didn't!!!! "What it is canyoning?" you ask. Pure insanity, I tell you, but oh so much fun!!!

Amazingly our food was both dry and hot and it took the same 8 hour trek that we did!

Getting judo tossed into the icy water!

That's me in the yellow life jacket.
Thankfully, I had no idea that I was going to have to scale a 72 foot waterfall.

Kyoto and Nara Golden Week 2011

This year, I had one week off for Golden Week. Sarah also had one week but it was at a slightly different time. Helen, on the other hand, only had the actual three days off. So we all decided to go to Kyoto for those three days. Note to self -- Kyoto is not the place to visit during Golden Week! It was sooooooo crowded. Nonetheless, we had an enjoyable time -- that was until I ate a spoiled Caesar salad and ended up with an IV up my arm at the local hospital.

Lots and lots of people....

Ginkaku-ji -- One of my new favorite spots!

One of the reasons I love Kyoto -- it maintains Japanese history!

some sakura were still blooming

as were the azaleas

two cute bunnies!!
(and obviously humble ones too ;-)

Philosophers' Path -- another new favorite spot!

Sweet's Paradise -- an all-you-can-eat cake shop!!

one of our many plates of cake

the amazing chocolate fountain

Day 2 found us in Nara (the Japanese capital before Kyoto, which was the capital before Tokyo)
Nara is known for its deer and huge Buddha -- not this guy, but an interesting combination of the two. This picture was taken by no other than one of my kids parents -- yes, we met one of my kids in on their vacation too!

If the salad hadn't nearly killed me, this crazy food-coloring snow cone contraption surely would have! But isn't it so neat!!! How tempting, but oh soooooo dangerous for this crabby tummy ;-(

Nara deer are known to usually attack people for snacks and "deer crackers."
Obviously, there were lots of people to feed this guy during Golden Week, because he wasn't even hungry!

Todai-ji
(this is the third and "modern" structure was built in 1709 -- the original was built in the 700s)

a scary looking guy if I do say so myself
(what I wish I had been able to snap, though, was the lady holding her chihuahua in a basket and taking a picture of the three of them on her cellphone)

Super-Giant Buddah and friend
(though neither actually look that big in this photo)

How 2.5 Years Can Change You....

Can you even spot the ALT?
(sorry the photo is so blurry...)

Speeches!

So I know that this post is extremely late -- my kids wrote these speeches in February after-all! But, I was so proud of them I just had to share a few of my favorites (I have edited as needed). The topic was "My Dream Trip to ~" Most of the kids followed my model speech and only changed a few words, but I really appreciated the students who thought outside of the box because creativity is not one of their strong points.

My Dream Trip to Hashimoto's Brain (note: Hashimoto is a classmate)

I want to go to Hashimoto's brain because Hashimoto is crazy. I want to know the crazy boy's brain. What is Hashimoto thinking? Hashimoto's brain has a good taste. So, I want to eat Hashimoto's brain. If I eat Hashimoto's brain, will I be crazy too?




My Dream Trip to the USA

I'd like to go to the USA. Why? Because I'd like to be a rich person. I like money very much. If I live in Japan, I can't get much money. But, the USA is different from Japan. USA holds many chances to be rich. Thank you.



My Dream Trip to Indonesia

Hello. I'm going to talk about my dream trip. I want to go to Indonesia because I want to see my father. My father is in Indonesia. He has been in Indonesia for two years. In Indonesia, I want to go shopping. I want to buy many strange things. This is a gift from my father. This changes from a sensu (fan) into a hat. I think that it is a very good idea for a hot country. But I'm afraid. Because Indonesian food is a little dangerous. My father had a stomach ache. I look forward to visiting Indonesia someday. Thank you.



My Dream Trip to Sengoku (note: a warring period in Japanese history)

Hello. I'm going to talk about my dream trip. I want to go to Sengoku because I want to help Oda (a historical figure who tried to unite Japan). In Sengoku, I want to kill Akechi (the individual who betrayed Oda and led to his death). I also want to change the world. I look forward to visiting Sengoku someday. Thank you.

Kimono!

One of the ladies at my church has a huge kimono collection and enjoys dressing the foreigners. A month or so ago, it was my turn! Notice I am once again modeling the "too short sleeves" style!

What Happens When You Can't Read Japanese...

...you might just order a piece of green pea pie!

God of this City

I first saw this video right after the earthquake and tsunami here in Japan, but subsequently lost it. I just came across it again and wanted to share it with you. This past week several different groups of people from my church went up to affected areas to assist in both serving hot food (the first rice some have received in a month) and digging out Japan from the mud (in fact as I write, Sarah is knee-deep in it working on excavating a house). Unfortunately, due to a variety of circumstances beyond my control including sinitus, food poisoning, a trip to the hospital, and work, I was unable to join in. However, I hope to be able to do so in the near future. My problems and stresses are so minuscule in comparison. Whereas the devastation is great, GOD can be glorified. Please pray for Japan -- they are such a lost people and they desperately need our prayers and support!