Dance Dance Revolution: Shhh! Don't tell the Wesleyans or Mennonites 

Squirrel Park

Editors Note: I tried to add some of the pictures from the day last night but had too many issues. In great frustration I went to bed hoping that a new day will bring better results. And it did. Below this post are a few photos from our adventure. There are also so interesting ones posted on Steve and Tiffany’s blog. Nov 19

Another fun preschool field trip. Today we visited Squirrel Park, where you can actually hand feed the squirrels. There were also some beautiful botanical gardens and a cool play structure, which I adored. I had as much fun playing as the kids did.

In other news Sumo is back. This tournament started six days ago. Kotooshu isn’t doing the greatest, he’s the one I cheer for so that is sad. Asashoryu, the autumn tournament winner is doing really well, he was the one that beat Kotooshu in the finials last tournament. Looks like Asashoryu is going to take his seventh championship, which will be a new record.

Word Up: Risu –Squirrel. In Japanese "r" sounds almost like an "l". So it sounds like "li-su". Most Japanese words end with a vowel sound, so Liz is turned has been into "lizu". Therefore, I am a squirrel?

I thought for sure the thing would jump up and try to bite my face off. 

 

The preschool class 

Feeding Time 

Hanging around 

Climbing wall 

Just sitting around. Actually I thought I was stuck and thought a photo shoot would give me time to figure out how to get out. 

I Think I’m Turning Japan…

Our day off was spent with friends of Hitomi’s, who took us to visit a wonderful woman for green tea, cakes, and a time of dress up. Eating Japanese sweets is always fun, you never know what you are going to get. I tried one treat that had a bean-paste filling…yumm! The best part of the afternoon was dress up time. I felt like a little girl getting ready for a special party. The lady (I was never able to pronounce her name right, so she will just be known as the lady. Sorry) dressed Tiffany and I in traditional kimonos. I couldn’t help feeling very elegant and beautiful, yet it hard to breathe and walk. It was much fun.

Word Up: Yon/shi –Four

Getting Ready

Am I suppose to be able to breathe?

Finished: from the back

Lions and Tigers and Bears!

Lions....and Tigers...and Bears!


Oh my! Today we took my preschool class on a field trip to the zoo. Great times had by all, very tired but a good day. It is hard to keep track of four children (even with five adults present). Moms are truly unsung heroes!

A cultural observation: Japanese parents do not call their children’s names in public…especially not loudly. If the parent wants the child to come they don’t yell out “Tommy come!” they go get the child. If a child is doing something inappropriate the parent will either let them keep on with the activity or go an quietly get them to stop. Tiffany and I stood out because we were continually saying the children’s names.

Highlights:
- The children making me laugh. They were more excited to pick up leaves and chase butterflies then seeing the animals.
- Seeing emus, what a fun word.
- Feeling like one of the animals on display. Okay not really a highlight but it did happen. A boy about nine years old walked over and just stared at me…really close to my face (maybe he was trying to count my nose hairs?) till his parents came over apologies. I felt like I should do a tick or something.
- The nap after the field trip was over.
- Tiffany and Steve’s pictures and comments about the day on their blog. (Friend there is an obscure Napoleon reference I made that got quoted, you should check it out.)

Word Up: Itakdakimasu –I am eating, said right before a meal with feelings of thanksgiving and joy

Emu

Grand Opening

Welcome, so glad that you stopped by!

This blog is a chance for me to share cultural observations, thoughts, and adventures during my time in Japan. At the end of most posts there’s also a "Word Up" just tidbits from the limited Japanese I have tried to grasp. This past month I have been writing entries and gathering photos of my experience since arriving in August. Please feel free to comment on any of the posts even the first ones. I will be checking them all often and will try respond to comments. I hope you enjoy the pictures, the Word Ups, and everything else.

Word Up: Sugoi –Great!

Who's Who

It might be easier to read a few of the entries if you had an idea of who everbody was. Here goes:


Hideki and Kayko, the Christian couple who owns and run Grace International School.

Megumi and Yukihiro, Hideki and Kayoko's children.

Steve and Tiffany, fellow English teachers at Grace. They been married one year and are originally from Manitoba. Steve's a Toronto maple leafs fan and Tiffany is an amazing cook. They are also recording their Japanese experience check out their blog Steve and Tiffany