We interupt this Japanese study session to bring you....

the ICE BURGER

Complete with "Buns, Vanilla Ice, Pari Pari Choco, and Coffee Ice"

Please taste and enjoy ice cream on a hamburger bun!

I think I prefer a banana split ;-)

Hello. My name is Squirrel Monkey.

There is no denying it.  This week I officially turned into a squirrel monkey.  "A squirrel monkey?" you ask.  "What do you mean?"  Let's just say that after an intensive almost eight-hour Japanese language experience last Sunday at the tea ceremony, I have had an official brain explosion.   My attention span is equal to that of a squirrel.  My language ability (in both Japanese and English) is equal to that of a monkey (i.e. hardly existent except for the occasional indiscernible grunt).  My balancing skills are equal to either creature without a tail (yes, this week, I have now taken falling to a completely new level!!!!) 

All joking aside, will you please pray for me.  For some unknown reason, in the past month or so, I have become a nocturnal creature with the inability to sleep.  The constant exhaustion has really begun to take a toll on me both physically and mentally.  I am finding that my perspective towards my job, my colleagues, my students, and even aspects of my life in Japan are being tainted because I am constantly exhausted.  Please pray that God will be my strength and, in His great mercy, an actual night of rest.  Pray also that I can think beyond my own needs and be a joy-bearer and light in this dark country. 

振袖：Furisode

This weekend, my school nurse invited me to a special event being held by her kimono school -- a dress-up tea ceremony!  Her instructor kindly lent (and dressed) me in a furisode (one of the most formal of all kimono worn only by "young" unmarried females).  None of my pictures from the actual ceremony came out well.  However, here are of a few of our walk through the Hamamatsu Castle Park.

in front of the Hamamatsu Castle

a bit blurry picture of my school nurse and I

me and the instructor's three girls

While touring the castle, we were asked if we could be in a visiting American couple's vacation photo

the only "close-up" picture I got of the silk furisode and golden obi

showing off my fancy (but also breath restricting) obi

standing on the bridge, I became a model not only for the kimono school's flyer but also for several budding photographers

 

Oh How True!!

伊賀上野城: Iga Ueno ~ The Ninja Castle!

Yesterday, five of us from church -- Sarah, Midori, Haruku, Kohei, and myself -- embarked on a road trip to Iga ueno-jo, better known in English as the Ninja Castle.

left to right: Sarah, Midori, Haruku, and Kouhei

After over three hours of driving, our first stop was lunch!

 

Our menu included gyutan (cow tongue) and tororo (a sticky grated potato gravy-like dish)

Then it was off to the castle...

It wasn't a particularly big castle -- but it was definitely interesting

(the ubiquitous "crooked" angle architectural shot

We happened to meet a man dressed-up like an ancient Japanese govenor

He was having so much fun that he kept on asking us to take more and more pictures with him.

Then, we decided to "dress-up" ourselves.

Beautiful (but unsuspecting)  Midori enjoying the fall leaves from the castle window

A ninja "attack"

But no worries, there were two crazy generals ready to save the day!

Group shot and "beheading" of our driver  (maybe not the wisest decision since he was our only way of getting home!)

Outside the castle we discovered some huge flowers

George Washington's wig wannabe

Unsuccessful Jumping Shot #1

Unsuccessful Jumping Shot #2

Success! (notice that the blonde is now behind the camera!)

 

We then visited a ninja museum that had some really cool exhibits including revolving doors, hidden rooms, and mystery staircases.  The best part?  The trap door, found of course by Yours Truly -- the official ninja booby-trap locator!

Too bad I hadn't read the sign first!

Next up -- a ninja weaponry show

the master shuriken thrower

the master kusarigama thrower

the umbrella sword

Even ninjas like to make the occasional "peace" sign

Then, it was our turn to become ninjas!

Haruku throwing shuriken

Me attempting to pose as a dangerous ninja (and not particularly succeeding!)

Sarah and Kouhei trying on stealth disguises

Our day ended with delicious desserts at an adorable cafe where we celebrated Midori's birthday

Then it was time for the long drive home, made shorter by lots of fun road trip games, jokes, laughing, and Japanese/English (culture) lessons.  Overall, it was a great day spent with some new-found friends!