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???