tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66629337088765340542024-02-22T04:14:58.381-06:00Travels to Japangingerfileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05946776771209334592noreply@blogger.comBlogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6662933708876534054.post-1524999808408053152010-04-09T08:27:00.000-05:002010-04-09T08:28:52.067-05:00Migrating URLOK, I really don't understand much of this, but it sounds like this blog will still exist, but I can no longer add to it after May 1 unless I do a URL migration. Sounds easy, but I have already messed up the blog situation with my Earthwatch blog so I'm not sure I'm going to do it. Just a heads up.gingerfileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05946776771209334592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6662933708876534054.post-75297109325112855592010-04-03T09:32:00.000-05:002010-04-03T09:33:27.832-05:00New Earthwatch URLIt was brought to my attention that I have changed my URL for Earthwatch. I didn't realize I had done that. If you have been having trouble, the problem should be fixed!gingerfileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05946776771209334592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6662933708876534054.post-28192589403033311212009-12-26T13:34:00.000-06:002009-12-26T13:35:03.808-06:00A Surprise from JapanOn Saturday I received a fun filled package from my friends the Takahashis. They not only sent gifts for me, but for my entire class. Each student was able to choose something after they completed a worksheet. I had to find a fair way to let them choose. They were all salivating over certain items. We recorded a thank you for the Takahashi family, but it's too big to send, so I'm uploading it. We were all dressed for the Colonial Christmas celebration that took place in the afternoon.<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwQdOuAjVkFWaVrO9QKvx8zZvxyiY7jjc2JM0E9EcksJ0vcOwXYB-zqdHW23AxPGAU8gNn2GLbHMl_WzrqUAA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>gingerfileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05946776771209334592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6662933708876534054.post-26656985049939182682009-06-19T19:33:00.004-05:002009-06-19T19:42:23.980-05:00It's been a whole year!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9fTUMmBfaKqtu50Zbb7YQFpvcUOldAtr7jxpjkDWrmRDKqx1pBSeq1j9wgaHX8ID2dFjTDyNreN7nPVcmvcw49iHz_Wj6SeiQD31hrkboXwz_9JMCdoLshqddnCHgaM17lAl3qMVbdEt5/s1600-h/2009%E5%B9%B46%E6%9C%8817%E6%97%A5%E9%AB%98%E5%B9%A1%E4%B8%8D%E5%8B%95%E5%B0%8A%E7%B4%AB%E9%99%BD%E8%8A%B1%E7%A5%AD%E3%82%8A+073.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9fTUMmBfaKqtu50Zbb7YQFpvcUOldAtr7jxpjkDWrmRDKqx1pBSeq1j9wgaHX8ID2dFjTDyNreN7nPVcmvcw49iHz_Wj6SeiQD31hrkboXwz_9JMCdoLshqddnCHgaM17lAl3qMVbdEt5/s400/2009%E5%B9%B46%E6%9C%8817%E6%97%A5%E9%AB%98%E5%B9%A1%E4%B8%8D%E5%8B%95%E5%B0%8A%E7%B4%AB%E9%99%BD%E8%8A%B1%E7%A5%AD%E3%82%8A+073.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349203602662383842" /></a><br />One year ago I was meeting my host family Wataru and Mari Takahashi. We are still in touch and their friendship means a great deal to me! This is the time when people all over Japan visit gardens to view the beautiful hydrangeas. These are pictures they sent of them viewing the hydrangea.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU5bQYxLlJILsLe_DQRxUfMS085zBERlWVefJI5B2JMVOLJkqqu5VffrOjqb-i7ouirRrEuLLMJkaNnHpJkMri-PSNXWpIw-KC-pMzCFjnAYtC1rsuezigXDsapVX0YBf90oPGzdqctRVM/s1600-h/2009%E5%B9%B46%E6%9C%8817%E6%97%A5%E9%AB%98%E5%B9%A1%E4%B8%8D%E5%8B%95%E5%B0%8A%E7%B4%AB%E9%99%BD%E8%8A%B1%E7%A5%AD%E3%82%8A+058.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU5bQYxLlJILsLe_DQRxUfMS085zBERlWVefJI5B2JMVOLJkqqu5VffrOjqb-i7ouirRrEuLLMJkaNnHpJkMri-PSNXWpIw-KC-pMzCFjnAYtC1rsuezigXDsapVX0YBf90oPGzdqctRVM/s400/2009%E5%B9%B46%E6%9C%8817%E6%97%A5%E9%AB%98%E5%B9%A1%E4%B8%8D%E5%8B%95%E5%B0%8A%E7%B4%AB%E9%99%BD%E8%8A%B1%E7%A5%AD%E3%82%8A+058.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349202966835811794" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE_ob88-t4wyTWKyekOCJ7jkN3d5lPUfQiHZoSHiTfX8R3JmLJbOEKQqejv5knHD3zVlFQQLG6koUuMjv0cRhXTL28ipYaNpoC3L_hOj0j3zQH_qGHnOmL4g-iJ55WOmBgfWBhaXqhCCtF/s1600-h/2009%E5%B9%B46%E6%9C%8817%E6%97%A5%E9%AB%98%E5%B9%A1%E4%B8%8D%E5%8B%95%E5%B0%8A%E7%B4%AB%E9%99%BD%E8%8A%B1%E7%A5%AD%E3%82%8A+057.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE_ob88-t4wyTWKyekOCJ7jkN3d5lPUfQiHZoSHiTfX8R3JmLJbOEKQqejv5knHD3zVlFQQLG6koUuMjv0cRhXTL28ipYaNpoC3L_hOj0j3zQH_qGHnOmL4g-iJ55WOmBgfWBhaXqhCCtF/s400/2009%E5%B9%B46%E6%9C%8817%E6%97%A5%E9%AB%98%E5%B9%A1%E4%B8%8D%E5%8B%95%E5%B0%8A%E7%B4%AB%E9%99%BD%E8%8A%B1%E7%A5%AD%E3%82%8A+057.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349203248184540322" /></a>gingerfileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05946776771209334592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6662933708876534054.post-11144045647808682672009-05-17T14:29:00.005-05:002009-05-18T18:54:02.886-05:00PTO Spring Dinner<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDbdFXIPl3QcaFE19zzClZiE0_iqxmXDqMarBIKxUS_l1OEfO7_48fu0Hk9k9EFGVZxRQ_j8bbV8aETfrnohI3qkxQ4kr9-2BUW-VLNiGCTD_8C7vaWN_sHYMhlwM3uaVL_K3r7aZ6TAPa/s1600-h/Spring+Dinner+044.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 224px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDbdFXIPl3QcaFE19zzClZiE0_iqxmXDqMarBIKxUS_l1OEfO7_48fu0Hk9k9EFGVZxRQ_j8bbV8aETfrnohI3qkxQ4kr9-2BUW-VLNiGCTD_8C7vaWN_sHYMhlwM3uaVL_K3r7aZ6TAPa/s400/Spring+Dinner+044.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336880427358521218" /></a><br />Yesterday was the annual PTO Spring Dinner. They were nice enough to let me have a booth to share my experiences from Japan. I had several items and pictures on display, and I also had a table where people could try to fold an origami goldfish, pick up erasers with chopsticks, or make a little Maneki Neko (beckoning cat).<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUlYmQigxk_r1U6_-T7z9aH7alwev-y67ng-C-TxfjOWa4v9KeI9SiDi7xcaVqNcWdU1PAyLE0_W6KPtW0S90U5MmRmyEn70QvzcHKgL8-IYXRxeelMHlXwiR3vpdD9LZRVbTKZzR6WU_r/s1600-h/with+Jamie+and+Jasmine+at+the+dinner.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUlYmQigxk_r1U6_-T7z9aH7alwev-y67ng-C-TxfjOWa4v9KeI9SiDi7xcaVqNcWdU1PAyLE0_W6KPtW0S90U5MmRmyEn70QvzcHKgL8-IYXRxeelMHlXwiR3vpdD9LZRVbTKZzR6WU_r/s400/with+Jamie+and+Jasmine+at+the+dinner.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337316368869767906" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDSWDGTEmO_6DdM0wlgiFkGP4n6JPAB9vBoxRDhmOeN8Y_ENgmG7DcxAnO2SLljLTp9TURN5BqmhQuWZUjtXOn0hJ97iiHdTmObBK3ruEAQPvj6juRTXxeVCrT3yWBAxqFEd3p_W-PGbyj/s1600-h/Spring+Dinner+055.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 224px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDSWDGTEmO_6DdM0wlgiFkGP4n6JPAB9vBoxRDhmOeN8Y_ENgmG7DcxAnO2SLljLTp9TURN5BqmhQuWZUjtXOn0hJ97iiHdTmObBK3ruEAQPvj6juRTXxeVCrT3yWBAxqFEd3p_W-PGbyj/s400/Spring+Dinner+055.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336881019079138434" /></a>Even one of the Klement's Racing Sausages made a goldfish. Italian did a great job! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHmeqKzB4e9e5e_ZoJ8wipi7yr71bOFJLDw4-_GToFXm9b1XM2UD7CHqR4-oTLwSpoh0wGd921IKO-i046KSfLPP6NjyJnq1UJ9MaPTnL7-cHiAT1QVa1vHhLf-VgtlTkcWJgU2gMUASyv/s1600-h/Spring+Dinner+043.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 224px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHmeqKzB4e9e5e_ZoJ8wipi7yr71bOFJLDw4-_GToFXm9b1XM2UD7CHqR4-oTLwSpoh0wGd921IKO-i046KSfLPP6NjyJnq1UJ9MaPTnL7-cHiAT1QVa1vHhLf-VgtlTkcWJgU2gMUASyv/s400/Spring+Dinner+043.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336880721146041602" /></a>My helpers Jasmine and Jamie worked very hard all day at the booth. The dinner was a lot of fun and a huge success.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizxFamRZWavDyVuhkGOp5CNbeQ-K27ycyZ7kaDEVMh10l0vST087xUUTcZHcIhk5Dg1IJrT8a1lVCR8_Du8osE1PW9ZbpLjs7Scr-D2Ql85UsxehJkAM3QvBiZ6tOk7HLT77iV9NixFUGw/s1600-h/class+with+basket.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizxFamRZWavDyVuhkGOp5CNbeQ-K27ycyZ7kaDEVMh10l0vST087xUUTcZHcIhk5Dg1IJrT8a1lVCR8_Du8osE1PW9ZbpLjs7Scr-D2Ql85UsxehJkAM3QvBiZ6tOk7HLT77iV9NixFUGw/s400/class+with+basket.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337315821243442546" /></a> Our class sponsored a basket for the auction. One of the moms from my class put it together beautifully. I heard many compliments about it, and it brought a great price.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqUfBAVWS5Vf1vnJeOFdVSVHwENBdlrc8DBLGhp4f8hFZ8JCh_In74ifQeNnkHBsQcmcArdzC1MKm9lHwJmDj4rRq5kA76Tf5-Za3TmfNmckmXQRiN-MhINsTqRLHu7QPstzLsgAp2IaRZ/s1600-h/basket.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqUfBAVWS5Vf1vnJeOFdVSVHwENBdlrc8DBLGhp4f8hFZ8JCh_In74ifQeNnkHBsQcmcArdzC1MKm9lHwJmDj4rRq5kA76Tf5-Za3TmfNmckmXQRiN-MhINsTqRLHu7QPstzLsgAp2IaRZ/s400/basket.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337316117610747298" /></a>gingerfileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05946776771209334592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6662933708876534054.post-41760619537047081192009-05-11T21:01:00.001-05:002009-05-11T21:04:54.358-05:00Candy from Japan<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxifEj7rZbaj5YKaHScSOLlTuw3MrkVsKpaU0TtyC-czkWqaaenZRTeQpSJKLEtU75hvR_OcVdQSa8gPjIAGF4NGOjJwIQwWsemxgEhsoFNWidg9496w-KSrM6Kf9a0fm6KUZEUN-T682R/s1600-h/japan+may+004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 224px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxifEj7rZbaj5YKaHScSOLlTuw3MrkVsKpaU0TtyC-czkWqaaenZRTeQpSJKLEtU75hvR_OcVdQSa8gPjIAGF4NGOjJwIQwWsemxgEhsoFNWidg9496w-KSrM6Kf9a0fm6KUZEUN-T682R/s400/japan+may+004.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334752620544401522" /></a><br />Ever since I got my package from the Takahashi family, the entire class has been wanting to eat the candy. Today we started our Japan booklet, so it was a perfect time to do the taste test. Everyone got two pieces of candy, and I didn't hear any negative feedback. So the candy was all a thumbs up! As you can see from the picture they are all excited about the taste test. Tomorrow I hope to post some video of the class attempting to play a song on the recorder.gingerfileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05946776771209334592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6662933708876534054.post-35091620790504746512009-05-05T17:48:00.006-05:002009-05-05T19:09:04.022-05:00Kodomo no hiToday is Children's Day in Japan. It's really Boys' Day, but they have renamed it Children's Day. The day is very much like Girls'Day with special displays of samurai dolls, special foods, and more recognizable the carp kites or koinobori.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz67ARmL8EGzbAzNtD1-0sJ_Nsh0d0kSbi5LXE8rap2JaS7PJYjGPyL3CpBbaVXniPCGPHByGr5dxyIOJpWE5mZF8QCnfTaB4qWMNBqOM8fX_wN4ECVOMgeTJlT_Hg4tutFZxfEvZ9QWk-/s1600-h/%E6%85%B6%E6%87%89%E7%BE%A9%E5%A1%BE%E5%A4%A7%E5%AD%A6%E3%83%BB%EF%BC%92%EF%BC%90%EF%BC%90%EF%BC%99%E5%B9%B4%EF%BC%94%E6%9C%88%EF%BC%92%EF%BC%99%E6%97%A5%E5%85%A5%E5%AD%A6%E5%BC%8F%E3%83%BB%E4%B8%89%E7%94%B0%E6%A0%A1%E8%88%8E%E3%83%BB+301.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz67ARmL8EGzbAzNtD1-0sJ_Nsh0d0kSbi5LXE8rap2JaS7PJYjGPyL3CpBbaVXniPCGPHByGr5dxyIOJpWE5mZF8QCnfTaB4qWMNBqOM8fX_wN4ECVOMgeTJlT_Hg4tutFZxfEvZ9QWk-/s400/%E6%85%B6%E6%87%89%E7%BE%A9%E5%A1%BE%E5%A4%A7%E5%AD%A6%E3%83%BB%EF%BC%92%EF%BC%90%EF%BC%90%EF%BC%99%E5%B9%B4%EF%BC%94%E6%9C%88%EF%BC%92%EF%BC%99%E6%97%A5%E5%85%A5%E5%AD%A6%E5%BC%8F%E3%83%BB%E4%B8%89%E7%94%B0%E6%A0%A1%E8%88%8E%E3%83%BB+301.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332488697603663330" /></a><br /> People display the kites high on poles, or other high places, and they represent strength and endurance as the carp can swim upstream even against a waterfall. Mr. Takahashi said there were kites flying all over Japan on that day (they are 15 hour ahead of us). He also sent a picture of the samurai display. My class made koinobori to celebrate the day. We didn't have the special rice cakes wrapped in bamboo or oak leaves. Instead we tried some miso soup and ate more rice. This time everyone got a set of bamboo chopsticks to keep! Thank goodness for the 100 yen store.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPDyOSIN9XrGG1AvR3B5DH_1yKqYrCpwA3UhWlIxBiXZDitmZTcRhRYjTFEQh_9tBoVjDl5Xx48K96CANubOxOGxG6UpqlLS6OmBcxK1SPPzk_0DxUSPPLxxKgrS_F7npgsl7nPKA1z-93/s1600-h/pizza+party+boys+day+020.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 224px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPDyOSIN9XrGG1AvR3B5DH_1yKqYrCpwA3UhWlIxBiXZDitmZTcRhRYjTFEQh_9tBoVjDl5Xx48K96CANubOxOGxG6UpqlLS6OmBcxK1SPPzk_0DxUSPPLxxKgrS_F7npgsl7nPKA1z-93/s400/pizza+party+boys+day+020.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332488237958167250" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqWnNE2ICphaPZagjrr7HVDPl3UHxVOqtb9v-ViYsHlH6xvR4sh1Bd0qtaIk964Mnw3uGxpM5fOAwgpw6Tzae58uEwt7FACRUVFsBDJz416UGtHb6VvxD0Wg1fWXcYld7KKANiDdqORfxu/s1600-h/pizza+party+boys+day+018.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 224px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqWnNE2ICphaPZagjrr7HVDPl3UHxVOqtb9v-ViYsHlH6xvR4sh1Bd0qtaIk964Mnw3uGxpM5fOAwgpw6Tzae58uEwt7FACRUVFsBDJz416UGtHb6VvxD0Wg1fWXcYld7KKANiDdqORfxu/s400/pizza+party+boys+day+018.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332487980898075570" /></a>gingerfileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05946776771209334592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6662933708876534054.post-66132929660701385162009-04-25T18:53:00.005-05:002009-04-26T10:54:56.718-05:00Surprise from My Friends!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn4CT4SOsZkxhtufD6Rbehp1sIcBTxWooJoiML_8Dj-aT8duCX6D6LbQQ8XEjBVXAOVteYHUHTJcQ5U3u3FMNGgFXxunq9SR00uCAp0GELSB7IQMCgmcMuUB1QJaduDsjShm8ES2ef_-hH/s1600-h/IMG_4046.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 224px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn4CT4SOsZkxhtufD6Rbehp1sIcBTxWooJoiML_8Dj-aT8duCX6D6LbQQ8XEjBVXAOVteYHUHTJcQ5U3u3FMNGgFXxunq9SR00uCAp0GELSB7IQMCgmcMuUB1QJaduDsjShm8ES2ef_-hH/s400/IMG_4046.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328783569004072178" /></a><br /><br /><br />It's always so much fun to come home and have a card in the mail saying there's a package for me at the post office. It's a pretty good bet it's from my friends, the Takahashis in Japan. My last package was full of many beautiful things from Japan. I've included a photo. Wataru and Mari sent several wonderful items, Yoshino sent some yummy treats, and even Sugao the cat sent some candy! I can't wait to share this with my family tomorrow and my students on Monday! One thing they sent is Sakura wine. It even has cherry blossoms in the bottle. My favorite of all of the items is a set of Japanese paper dolls. They are beautiful! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjimwDg3Ho5P4i4Eya8p5q_lCN0j7OFgjThCiNHCDdrIyV_utxPcuhDnvdsTiPS9H_hLqhyphenhyphenngdojXHdoVjR29prmJyLDQHuHMRLZlxr-YdRuskRs8AnoA4FVdym7E-ExwgZ-9Geu20YZ7DA/s1600-h/IMG_4047.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 224px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjimwDg3Ho5P4i4Eya8p5q_lCN0j7OFgjThCiNHCDdrIyV_utxPcuhDnvdsTiPS9H_hLqhyphenhyphenngdojXHdoVjR29prmJyLDQHuHMRLZlxr-YdRuskRs8AnoA4FVdym7E-ExwgZ-9Geu20YZ7DA/s400/IMG_4047.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328783198991956594" /></a>I am so thankful to my friends for sharing these gifts with me, my family, and my students!gingerfileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05946776771209334592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6662933708876534054.post-57656426164842564382009-04-10T18:03:00.004-05:002009-04-10T18:15:55.421-05:00Sharing Easter with my Host Family<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikR5HAaIezuD901M0qHXmfxoFZ5IYkAWlIqBkSHEsJ9Ep2lklS8B5C6HbkIuo9ztd5ndo1dVzRO_nRPvRNM4QOWlqF8QKmaCIWfEBJjWju3wq3Vsj2WPG06zl7ElwSp8IKW7uEk5miHcIo/s1600-h/DSCF0774.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikR5HAaIezuD901M0qHXmfxoFZ5IYkAWlIqBkSHEsJ9Ep2lklS8B5C6HbkIuo9ztd5ndo1dVzRO_nRPvRNM4QOWlqF8QKmaCIWfEBJjWju3wq3Vsj2WPG06zl7ElwSp8IKW7uEk5miHcIo/s400/DSCF0774.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323204838225357522" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3TMQnxWgl4MntrtMRUXldT6Ew54CpfFqWZZ91dLVIBKZm-sZN6IfcEn-PZ-vb1QZdZvetsPI4rIyAVd2sszBFsfLf2kWC5ujAKPpHHNfXz4My7_Vsj0TnMGdowopjjCAw3F-uCGjJ5XZV/s1600-h/DSCF0781.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3TMQnxWgl4MntrtMRUXldT6Ew54CpfFqWZZ91dLVIBKZm-sZN6IfcEn-PZ-vb1QZdZvetsPI4rIyAVd2sszBFsfLf2kWC5ujAKPpHHNfXz4My7_Vsj0TnMGdowopjjCAw3F-uCGjJ5XZV/s400/DSCF0781.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323204563397560786" /></a><br />I sent an Easter basket to my host family. I tried to include my favorite Easter candies and some egg dye. They shared the basket with their grandchildren. They also sent pictures of the incredible cherry trees that are in full bloom. Many festivals are held for sakura, the cherry blossoms.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZsUgL71Yd3eTyMg0k-cm2sjFC4soV2YGzCTGMoTj7fCIv87ydVfSoMwsWHnfPlY4KN-WzN-zOTSFoTBfWHfzCxwDrwGWCjZ0CUqTlPTG2FV66Lvfs25zfSLGxNC-YlMpkQfDBG2GU1J85/s1600-h/DSCF0748.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZsUgL71Yd3eTyMg0k-cm2sjFC4soV2YGzCTGMoTj7fCIv87ydVfSoMwsWHnfPlY4KN-WzN-zOTSFoTBfWHfzCxwDrwGWCjZ0CUqTlPTG2FV66Lvfs25zfSLGxNC-YlMpkQfDBG2GU1J85/s400/DSCF0748.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323205373030027618" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDItPyuoaYKpL2njha1humAr0I3Ov-aBzF3oD1jarhe-AGT-cFU3QiFA9TsXdnpvP6gvcS09Z1PejSOR1sT707VO_U-FKXcP9PB-vmnKPbWFihedEpZeu_2wI4itY9T4CCBWQcChCZyX6Y/s1600-h/DSCF0742.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDItPyuoaYKpL2njha1humAr0I3Ov-aBzF3oD1jarhe-AGT-cFU3QiFA9TsXdnpvP6gvcS09Z1PejSOR1sT707VO_U-FKXcP9PB-vmnKPbWFihedEpZeu_2wI4itY9T4CCBWQcChCZyX6Y/s400/DSCF0742.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323205136966244674" /></a>gingerfileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05946776771209334592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6662933708876534054.post-983118178964777342009-03-03T19:21:00.007-06:002009-03-15T16:32:11.023-05:00Hina Matsuri - Girls' DayToday was Japanese Girls' Day. Traditionally, girls in Japan invite their friends to a home party and have a good time. People display a set of hina dolls and props in the house, wishing girls' healthy growth and happiness.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihunJFUoKKGvr5dqxgd0-FbG044WmBS7z8e1aQMPI42MZS6GyhuvliKK04mjR7sNIfR_JT0hFAtYKUxyHEA5PZhGZaVyjPVKPCQag_5BLo6guy_BXDz53nf9s44rOdBLbAUpbrhlNKdqEj/s1600-h/read+across+america+002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 321px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihunJFUoKKGvr5dqxgd0-FbG044WmBS7z8e1aQMPI42MZS6GyhuvliKK04mjR7sNIfR_JT0hFAtYKUxyHEA5PZhGZaVyjPVKPCQag_5BLo6guy_BXDz53nf9s44rOdBLbAUpbrhlNKdqEj/s400/read+across+america+002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309851603394562098" /></a> We ate mochi, drank green tea, and had a display of our dolls with an origami Emperor and Empress on the top tier of our red tiered display. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVUTEOWJM0dYLJgk9MbUQCKamM45MghiR89mqYWqGkGEmV6gmSPaoJ7a-W-OJ6sUfRvrNt_WZYCM_ozpyX6pMkXo1zHCAAmWHbeqca0A7-6nD5ZDTNPpwPdK686WbmukBMw7xNQJ8g-C0p/s1600-h/read+across+america+062.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 281px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVUTEOWJM0dYLJgk9MbUQCKamM45MghiR89mqYWqGkGEmV6gmSPaoJ7a-W-OJ6sUfRvrNt_WZYCM_ozpyX6pMkXo1zHCAAmWHbeqca0A7-6nD5ZDTNPpwPdK686WbmukBMw7xNQJ8g-C0p/s400/read+across+america+062.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309487913429516834" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipDK6xfDHMof4YDRK1FtMxTFxu0RQjfrvAw9Mjggcho2IeUef3kDuDxnE0dleyV_x0V4Emr4RCVxOU2FbSJvFH7Y-1xOv8GZxCqbk4KPVstvN3PKs747E-N6K9VcilOhW2usXAeAA8j_Df/s1600-h/read+across+america+063.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 224px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipDK6xfDHMof4YDRK1FtMxTFxu0RQjfrvAw9Mjggcho2IeUef3kDuDxnE0dleyV_x0V4Emr4RCVxOU2FbSJvFH7Y-1xOv8GZxCqbk4KPVstvN3PKs747E-N6K9VcilOhW2usXAeAA8j_Df/s400/read+across+america+063.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309487951712600418" /></a><br />This is one type of mochi we ate. The pink stands for peach blossoms, the white for snow, and the green for new life. Sweets in the US are much sweeter than those in Japan. The class wasn't really very thrilled with the taste of the mochi, but they gave it a try.gingerfileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05946776771209334592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6662933708876534054.post-46755068288502475432008-12-18T20:11:00.000-06:002008-12-18T20:13:04.342-06:00Daruma Legend<span style="font-weight:bold;">Japanese Folk Dolls </span><br />Signifies good luck<br />Legend says .... The Dharma was a Buddhist priest. He sat and meditated for nine years. When he finally moved to stand up, his arms and legs were too stiff to stand upright.Nothing can stop the teachings of the Buddha, the Dharma thought to himself. I must move from village to village, sharing with the people what I have discovered while meditating. Since the Dharma could not stand up and walk, he rolled from village to village, spreading his teachings. <br /><br />The "wishing" daruma doll has a face that is painted without eyes. One eye, usually the right eye, is painted on the "wishing" doll when a wish is made. The second eye is painted when the wish is fulfilled.gingerfileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05946776771209334592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6662933708876534054.post-4870167116996285172008-12-18T19:54:00.006-06:002008-12-18T20:09:40.932-06:00Daruma DollsMy class spent some time creating their own Daruma dolls. The dolls are said to bring good luck, and in Japan it is common to make a wish on one for the New Year. You make a wish and fill in the right eye. When the wish comes true, you fill in the left eye. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkp8Hi4CtMlRGazkjdmA_vLi0AhiPaKAG9RaAqIveXBkGEC-2aV3VaaSiUmDaJBnvwtXeDl867ZqbTbAOjcx3ZOUc2tJWEyrHftMbUGIinChGIgfZQVqTgb4kDs6PdLnbHukxl6Zu4F5P1/s1600-h/daruma+002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkp8Hi4CtMlRGazkjdmA_vLi0AhiPaKAG9RaAqIveXBkGEC-2aV3VaaSiUmDaJBnvwtXeDl867ZqbTbAOjcx3ZOUc2tJWEyrHftMbUGIinChGIgfZQVqTgb4kDs6PdLnbHukxl6Zu4F5P1/s400/daruma+002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281314471505623890" /></a> First we molded Celluclay around a plastic egg.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJRhvVh8awZy6Xupiw_4t-Vv5aG0SuRW7FATgDyNhCZaPhwcihC1W09MoZyDIxn2KcKLv52qdX9YTpLhqqChDmpErtH6eXhCZz7kAEixwbG3RCCQ5cHL-M65VIXmpRqJi9hlXzFf52AZEn/s1600-h/daruma+003.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJRhvVh8awZy6Xupiw_4t-Vv5aG0SuRW7FATgDyNhCZaPhwcihC1W09MoZyDIxn2KcKLv52qdX9YTpLhqqChDmpErtH6eXhCZz7kAEixwbG3RCCQ5cHL-M65VIXmpRqJi9hlXzFf52AZEn/s400/daruma+003.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281314289351907330" /></a>Then we shaped it to make a nose and an indent for the eyes. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi08pcd4SFBNKMI87s8TWDuA9ZBY8pF3wXQzmtgvfFssASwuWlT-EUlhURbgwPKBSVHePCQp_bVk5kn1fmg33vwfq31kroBrxS8K9hc3RtA-yQ08kq4vWgJDp2flK-EFLXb1cBDvP8-DBEk/s1600-h/daruma+007.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi08pcd4SFBNKMI87s8TWDuA9ZBY8pF3wXQzmtgvfFssASwuWlT-EUlhURbgwPKBSVHePCQp_bVk5kn1fmg33vwfq31kroBrxS8K9hc3RtA-yQ08kq4vWgJDp2flK-EFLXb1cBDvP8-DBEk/s400/daruma+007.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281314979799426994" /></a>Using a Daruma I purchased in Japan as a model, we painted the details on our dolls.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj38dCHFkBARWv6bdVmzKMETTJ6Kfh0EmdxskcXwO44wYmvmaVP5bYLXfMpwl86WCLMEyYqxjy7U8Hfckfd2gUtw6syKwnDLG3Jw3dKgAQIYKNN_-m3A2HcuW2vRnF2U1z6xjZg8CnnQMR3/s1600-h/kimono+009.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj38dCHFkBARWv6bdVmzKMETTJ6Kfh0EmdxskcXwO44wYmvmaVP5bYLXfMpwl86WCLMEyYqxjy7U8Hfckfd2gUtw6syKwnDLG3Jw3dKgAQIYKNN_-m3A2HcuW2vRnF2U1z6xjZg8CnnQMR3/s400/kimono+009.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281317186271812034" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2chRTEZ2jitj3T8uyEWseGybKtcd4grBA7Nvsoa8_bplK1aehpFnJ-SoTDoGd0Mznk7BmPCsFXDh8pDGZMuJWoiMHVWbM72eBAwGdBJD2K0QvFyxLUEC7aJ4gGiixLK2C1tLfaYlZIYnt/s1600-h/kimono+004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2chRTEZ2jitj3T8uyEWseGybKtcd4grBA7Nvsoa8_bplK1aehpFnJ-SoTDoGd0Mznk7BmPCsFXDh8pDGZMuJWoiMHVWbM72eBAwGdBJD2K0QvFyxLUEC7aJ4gGiixLK2C1tLfaYlZIYnt/s400/kimono+004.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281316885960082530" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizBBrFOQl1t6CZ6JQyNMNCmVpGuUrbT_XnUpfJ0pZFcEenw86jZVIiqdOKzpS4K2u9qTfRsNPmu78N_UInxdBjryvSId7KP7T4PQNx56cdfaipAlJK2DP6H0vuBJNY5btl7AQivBTPHB3N/s1600-h/smart+004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizBBrFOQl1t6CZ6JQyNMNCmVpGuUrbT_XnUpfJ0pZFcEenw86jZVIiqdOKzpS4K2u9qTfRsNPmu78N_UInxdBjryvSId7KP7T4PQNx56cdfaipAlJK2DP6H0vuBJNY5btl7AQivBTPHB3N/s400/smart+004.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281317479280622898" /></a>gingerfileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05946776771209334592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6662933708876534054.post-64813498538710453342008-12-10T20:36:00.004-06:002008-12-14T11:38:20.346-06:00A Package from Japan<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTfiWfwWSSrsmCtCExdLj7T4x4dEY4TVHRayf2eETxc3UFooaLmNjqt0QOucLZOB1jKskl9-49M-qVr4v_deRglNkL0u76fKCzybPYVwm02uijVpiItQEAJFjlO5pOSffxvTvgg1q-cj_U/s1600-h/kimono+013.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTfiWfwWSSrsmCtCExdLj7T4x4dEY4TVHRayf2eETxc3UFooaLmNjqt0QOucLZOB1jKskl9-49M-qVr4v_deRglNkL0u76fKCzybPYVwm02uijVpiItQEAJFjlO5pOSffxvTvgg1q-cj_U/s400/kimono+013.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279701464545171426" /></a><br />I have been keeping in touch with the wonderful family that hosted me while I was in Japan. The Takahashi family surprised me today with a package! What a great surprise. There were beautiful postcards, a kimono for Dixie, a doggie keychain, a beautiful cloth, chopsticks, and recorders for my whole class! Takahashi-san owns a music store, so we will do our best to learn and play a song on our new Yamaha recorders. I'll post a video when we do! My favorite thing, though, was the kimono for Dixie. She's adorable!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLrYCfeaHztAs9147Vjmv3c5X5Juizxoq1XbkFY2gyKIwtGbV3vr5pVX2Ti6RnRyGsXmxpLuFx7OvJJIaXNxPowV9XKOSD5SUbSdjX2zeFD1Wc1xy73M_oRZcg8oDtEk7_I_zLJRyTKZ6W/s1600-h/kimono+003.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLrYCfeaHztAs9147Vjmv3c5X5Juizxoq1XbkFY2gyKIwtGbV3vr5pVX2Ti6RnRyGsXmxpLuFx7OvJJIaXNxPowV9XKOSD5SUbSdjX2zeFD1Wc1xy73M_oRZcg8oDtEk7_I_zLJRyTKZ6W/s400/kimono+003.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278357097785678594" /></a><br /><br />Now she has an outfit to wear when I make sushi, and she gets a little rice to eat.gingerfileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05946776771209334592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6662933708876534054.post-36121979935224039922008-10-14T18:38:00.005-05:002008-10-14T18:45:47.621-05:00Calligraphy - The Real Thing!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpLn4MSzy_YHYxvs7K1fqvQA7e2eOLvytEUAc8X1FLlHZJs5OUR434G2FKNYCGSU0-0Kjpx2UTTO5mp4yGG9HGqcfQH1AqKMgubqbUwhGY9xg4Gy0ygmXD1RyKfhcW7sSBTgb1iBgVR7nu/s1600-h/calligraphy+009.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpLn4MSzy_YHYxvs7K1fqvQA7e2eOLvytEUAc8X1FLlHZJs5OUR434G2FKNYCGSU0-0Kjpx2UTTO5mp4yGG9HGqcfQH1AqKMgubqbUwhGY9xg4Gy0ygmXD1RyKfhcW7sSBTgb1iBgVR7nu/s320/calligraphy+009.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257159648640109474" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUkvpzAmryBJzegDpeVDLSpWk_8zhjlxS9yKDpMGVJJXAYckcOW1-6ZxGE3JV-IBNTaRURZ_hrA5kU4CQDOeUXGjVwjmOMyM1efupdv3wZP1DxkStuVyw_ujXP8lJqSh-Eh9O3ylnnw6sF/s1600-h/calligraphy+016.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUkvpzAmryBJzegDpeVDLSpWk_8zhjlxS9yKDpMGVJJXAYckcOW1-6ZxGE3JV-IBNTaRURZ_hrA5kU4CQDOeUXGjVwjmOMyM1efupdv3wZP1DxkStuVyw_ujXP8lJqSh-Eh9O3ylnnw6sF/s320/calligraphy+016.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257159280877892130" /></a><br />Today, Mr. Hashiguchi visited to show us how to do calligraphy. This time we were learning from someone who really knew what they were doing. We used rice paper and ink (yes, there was a bit of an accident on the floor with that), so it was far more authentic. He also wrote each student's name on a piece of paper, and they wrote them on their best example of "tomo" or friend. Then we made a small samurai helmet from origami paper and mounted our work. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0uC5oArevK24Ttc8h8Srg70t0-kOHnlvztY63mI10CUq_hl0E4M-HfJow7MdqEB6KxxogQw_s0rLhX9ThPGfa2debFCRC7edBMcdWjnHO93W_mGIZYJ2QRiVLv14_Y2JCNRXjabh73_Zp/s1600-h/calligraphy+012.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0uC5oArevK24Ttc8h8Srg70t0-kOHnlvztY63mI10CUq_hl0E4M-HfJow7MdqEB6KxxogQw_s0rLhX9ThPGfa2debFCRC7edBMcdWjnHO93W_mGIZYJ2QRiVLv14_Y2JCNRXjabh73_Zp/s320/calligraphy+012.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257159849783416690" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFQz8WPmAQ3BIoHguxcYZCm8UKC7_VwAkgTJeOhD7scRM4-Wj-UCurFB35eyjqzpzxBALZF1NZGIIe6fXl71xO9So0sBIrN1-vcc5bA90cFvPIJ3ZHOH6NakQiN113FDcv5F9Vor-Ypzb8/s1600-h/calligraphy+015.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFQz8WPmAQ3BIoHguxcYZCm8UKC7_VwAkgTJeOhD7scRM4-Wj-UCurFB35eyjqzpzxBALZF1NZGIIe6fXl71xO9So0sBIrN1-vcc5bA90cFvPIJ3ZHOH6NakQiN113FDcv5F9Vor-Ypzb8/s320/calligraphy+015.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257159641336982962" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWTOS2JO-VbKQA4MAoAASVeSTXJxn56K9YaGeSE8MW0qhKp0Eq8S_nuFZNr6ihIsx4zkYvNBoKOTPoQ6PoPota9CbBctYsy2J186_It3ON9E3ohezOzgOb4LcZDV1gt6tx5Okid0ia9hdh/s1600-h/calligraphy+013.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWTOS2JO-VbKQA4MAoAASVeSTXJxn56K9YaGeSE8MW0qhKp0Eq8S_nuFZNr6ihIsx4zkYvNBoKOTPoQ6PoPota9CbBctYsy2J186_It3ON9E3ohezOzgOb4LcZDV1gt6tx5Okid0ia9hdh/s320/calligraphy+013.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257159642134906338" /></a>gingerfileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05946776771209334592noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6662933708876534054.post-75852150680599890042008-10-03T19:35:00.003-05:002008-10-03T19:48:18.040-05:00OrigamiToday Mr. Hashiguchi returned and showed us pictures of his school and students. Then he treated us to an origami lesson. Students first had to create a square from a piece of newspaper. Then, they were instructed step by step how to fold a samurai helmet. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxM9A1VW0Ci3F44IZwgaoRHfG1sSRQ5zwImP0rN8fHyGWZTEli6XqYi-zWt8jlQKknc9TPc7ol4pTDmMo_n9M64l4-6uSupOcL3wLHUCman9tgTEgWFiEcnzmagNiuXexBJznyVVPnsHdJ/s1600-h/origami+008.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxM9A1VW0Ci3F44IZwgaoRHfG1sSRQ5zwImP0rN8fHyGWZTEli6XqYi-zWt8jlQKknc9TPc7ol4pTDmMo_n9M64l4-6uSupOcL3wLHUCman9tgTEgWFiEcnzmagNiuXexBJznyVVPnsHdJ/s320/origami+008.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253091466663265330" /></a>Origami has to be folded carefully so it takes time and patience. Some of us were in a hurry and had to fold and refold. In the end we all had a samurai helmet! They were worn throughout the entire day.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8H64GA7H0kZjIOWZqAiWpCw6Pg0ILtKx80Rq3eedAiIU9ThIiqFKR4QWe_PdJwcVjVfARkbPB8uOeRJZAtYJyXqPubxlYTks6V2djVcBY8kZxDgnBtKHeEXWfBnMREAd7w9iT5861sbRB/s1600-h/origami+016.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8H64GA7H0kZjIOWZqAiWpCw6Pg0ILtKx80Rq3eedAiIU9ThIiqFKR4QWe_PdJwcVjVfARkbPB8uOeRJZAtYJyXqPubxlYTks6V2djVcBY8kZxDgnBtKHeEXWfBnMREAd7w9iT5861sbRB/s320/origami+016.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253091880662262802" /></a>I only had a half of a newspaper so I made a smaller helmet. Lucky Dixie!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip52EJPrKuY3pYUYpXs3tfaoOmcN7-roDJGIRg9n4zPQSF_gkCK6q9JA507MrbgfEhbagMT1KQpxENMO1AlEFqeWr3eJUwinnSGQetUdn_fstPQZEEo8KJFReaRpvmFz8hFIlwPpr51I_5/s1600-h/origami+022.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip52EJPrKuY3pYUYpXs3tfaoOmcN7-roDJGIRg9n4zPQSF_gkCK6q9JA507MrbgfEhbagMT1KQpxENMO1AlEFqeWr3eJUwinnSGQetUdn_fstPQZEEo8KJFReaRpvmFz8hFIlwPpr51I_5/s320/origami+022.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253094077909241570" /></a>gingerfileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05946776771209334592noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6662933708876534054.post-86460840911488001152008-10-02T17:53:00.008-05:002008-10-02T18:16:42.188-05:00Visiting Teacher from Japan<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp_QWI0ve_bmgPRmWsu0nQNcG9Y6_ibueKrIquBtmyEoJnDSY2-akNMLnl0WDtg4e2IgIb1VTAmAnX_FyBZ3za6tzIomDCUniW8IUa6NrFMIcaAccHa79HjDdpYUXfktbIat2bHwP3sTrR/s1600-h/Hashiguchi+012.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp_QWI0ve_bmgPRmWsu0nQNcG9Y6_ibueKrIquBtmyEoJnDSY2-akNMLnl0WDtg4e2IgIb1VTAmAnX_FyBZ3za6tzIomDCUniW8IUa6NrFMIcaAccHa79HjDdpYUXfktbIat2bHwP3sTrR/s320/Hashiguchi+012.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252698577805335234" /></a><br />One of our fourth grade teachers, Mrs. Fahey(center right), is hosting a Japanese teacher through a program sponsored by the government of Japan with the partnership of WEAC. Mr. Jun Hashiguchi will be observing and teaching in our school through the end of the month. He is a second grade teacher in Japan. Today we were lucky enough to have him visit our class! We have a BIG school, and he is very much in demand. He showed us the many ways to write his name, and he explained that in Japan your last name is said first.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5S-YK79Jchd_QTBo0JabTclU8z-eNhvItMJQxjORQd33PMsVD50Q_KLb64peSmUFlz_Yibp1vv2i_1GHAuoCTSzuJfnJUDFpR-MBgCQn_rD1D0kuv-UMswbaGGUpwLJJhvn2LQCZ8x156/s1600-h/Mr.+Hashiguchi+011.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5S-YK79Jchd_QTBo0JabTclU8z-eNhvItMJQxjORQd33PMsVD50Q_KLb64peSmUFlz_Yibp1vv2i_1GHAuoCTSzuJfnJUDFpR-MBgCQn_rD1D0kuv-UMswbaGGUpwLJJhvn2LQCZ8x156/s400/Mr.+Hashiguchi+011.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252698325445872418" /></a> So, he is Hashiguchi Jun back home. <a onblur="try <br />{parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE6lL1BNg_yRUaYz7y4_XXEu6y9ibaMSLW95NjLEo8-5FlX9gRl_d5ib5_ZbB7BX4GHAs91r89F736tns-u-yCrKbRCVLs1xEwwMToQ7sSxlDKtVAVuHKQtlxOqdScQZi5cql86Xjax0vz/s1600-h/Mr.+Hashiguchi+002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE6lL1BNg_yRUaYz7y4_XXEu6y9ibaMSLW95NjLEo8-5FlX9gRl_d5ib5_ZbB7BX4GHAs91r89F736tns-u-yCrKbRCVLs1xEwwMToQ7sSxlDKtVAVuHKQtlxOqdScQZi5cql86Xjax0vz/s320/Mr.+Hashiguchi+002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252695146463483938" /></a>He then led a lively instruction on counting from 1-6 in Japanese. The class really enjoyed his enthusiasm! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDTG739asEBOXbME9oNp_lCi4CjdWxBPa1_2HUAv3j17281i98RCLPfet0BXqU5gPwUU-pMNoPOE-CB4JWSXDi1vJlDkTzgkEvwmDQBlZZj0cJ2j70JfhmCQq7xasrooW-3jySd3oHOY7v/s1600-h/Mr.+Hashiguchi+006.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDTG739asEBOXbME9oNp_lCi4CjdWxBPa1_2HUAv3j17281i98RCLPfet0BXqU5gPwUU-pMNoPOE-CB4JWSXDi1vJlDkTzgkEvwmDQBlZZj0cJ2j70JfhmCQq7xasrooW-3jySd3oHOY7v/s320/Mr.+Hashiguchi+006.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252695412988557026" /></a>After the class was comfortable with the numbers they played a game where one student called out a number in Japanese, and the other two or three students tried to slap the number first. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZCbEoO35mpU7E-sjEFyexOLnuzy1psAiX8CLZh8LVeq8dlW2hXEGINaZmNJT4kJUY6ddK5Kf_VOqhlnRKXYBqssowwOTx4lo2HlNmt9uROttJ-7d861OBFv5mmdpWCwv9B_Ggq7rT2J7R/s1600-h/Mr.+Hashiguchi+010.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZCbEoO35mpU7E-sjEFyexOLnuzy1psAiX8CLZh8LVeq8dlW2hXEGINaZmNJT4kJUY6ddK5Kf_VOqhlnRKXYBqssowwOTx4lo2HlNmt9uROttJ-7d861OBFv5mmdpWCwv9B_Ggq7rT2J7R/s400/Mr.+Hashiguchi+010.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252695746723586306" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhESLJymgnG6sF0EMjIb178_g7rzNg0ouvsB1zoyAqwSES-IyC9twQFkjayy0V3UGy-AwvLLiNgL9UUSK2du28ijswg5YG4OkwuUs8KusPtAcIpF4Rmdaw1KcLfZoMz-dz4et19jKAs7L41/s1600-h/Mr.+Hashiguchi+007.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhESLJymgnG6sF0EMjIb178_g7rzNg0ouvsB1zoyAqwSES-IyC9twQFkjayy0V3UGy-AwvLLiNgL9UUSK2du28ijswg5YG4OkwuUs8KusPtAcIpF4Rmdaw1KcLfZoMz-dz4et19jKAs7L41/s320/Mr.+Hashiguchi+007.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252699378843077826" /></a><br />The student that won called the next number. The class was very excited to have him visit and look forward to having him in class again!gingerfileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05946776771209334592noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6662933708876534054.post-43516861812860498692008-09-25T17:01:00.005-05:002008-09-28T19:50:48.931-05:00Popcorn, Rice, and Chopsticks!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdu8x7LP2CclCZjNWwpyFSstoSXFkf236h9Xd8PupSvPMUJtv-cXrJbEDrhICks_fAPdESzUzXw5DctyT3QhuptPKsp8WXMTCycnv6AcV2re3pAOZH_AlpqdyJ5FFemhcKlmMuirFfMKFU/s1600-h/chopsticks+002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdu8x7LP2CclCZjNWwpyFSstoSXFkf236h9Xd8PupSvPMUJtv-cXrJbEDrhICks_fAPdESzUzXw5DctyT3QhuptPKsp8WXMTCycnv6AcV2re3pAOZH_AlpqdyJ5FFemhcKlmMuirFfMKFU/s320/chopsticks+002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250091721106209522" /></a><br /><br />To continue our study of cultures, my class took their first lesson with chopsticks. It won't be our last. It started out very frustratingly and I heard a lot of, "I can't do it," and "I need help." The real problem was it was hard to explain how to hold the chopsticks. I was able to show them how to hold them initially, but you really do kind of adjust the grip to work for yourself. After much urging on my part to "keep trying", and the addition of popcorn to pick up, most of the students started experiencing success. When I ate with the students at Inagi Dainana Elementary School, the man helping me was very impressed with my ability to use the chopsticks. Not that I was an expert, but I could get the food to my mouth! He said that chopsticks are hard even for the Japanese children, so I guess my students should be pretty proud of themselves. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZrlzUjk1turCdaf8Q7qg6LGBamMOpVYqDefGutganpIdVk9tHFCuUHWuggzH89ZirZvK9vhpeAkRqdd_aLtPyjwTMbMMIu5Cr_MN8dIVHC3mf2EuOnUK1FVIs7apq855VYFtXNxfnce8g/s1600-h/chopsticks+011.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZrlzUjk1turCdaf8Q7qg6LGBamMOpVYqDefGutganpIdVk9tHFCuUHWuggzH89ZirZvK9vhpeAkRqdd_aLtPyjwTMbMMIu5Cr_MN8dIVHC3mf2EuOnUK1FVIs7apq855VYFtXNxfnce8g/s320/chopsticks+011.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250092404551890578" /></a>When the popcorn started to run out, I scooped out rice for those that wanted it. I think everyone tried a little. I explained that the rice I made was short grained rice, so it was stickier and easier to eat. That is what they eat in Japan. I also showed them that in Japan it is perfectly alright to hold your bowl closer to your face to eat rice and noodles. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtu1tLyMfecrogF9VYgtdBGYC3_5QBRyd31EeE6X_hENSz_8wn47sjCBPb-YQ0CykTgck66ysGGRan6HWQ4H6AmUGNCsC83Kbo-k29RJ2TAULmo-6QOKvELLDhIB40BNtFqWe3cmF5dSNr/s1600-h/chopsticks+013.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtu1tLyMfecrogF9VYgtdBGYC3_5QBRyd31EeE6X_hENSz_8wn47sjCBPb-YQ0CykTgck66ysGGRan6HWQ4H6AmUGNCsC83Kbo-k29RJ2TAULmo-6QOKvELLDhIB40BNtFqWe3cmF5dSNr/s320/chopsticks+013.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250091220960562690" /></a>Surprisingly enough, they were able to use the chopsticks to pick up clumps of rice, or to scoop it up. I was nervous about the activity at first, but they ended up doing a great job. Of course everyone wanted to take the chopsticks home. We'll have more opportunities later this year to eat with chopsticks. Now we have some practice under our belt. I am getting these pictures posted right away, because everyone was eager to be on the blog. If you haven't been pictured yet, don't worry, there will be other chances!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZeB3HCaW3ks2tkEnKPRvuk_Vu4W5fvElQYvcas0AlolUD43Dy09b2DNGN3adjM8XhyV3L84g5kZ-4nY3RWKIkRwjZx7EiGTWrRJWx0KuxB_kxrags1p8snen7HmZoGqvX8bLhymTETDOr/s1600-h/chopsticks+007.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZeB3HCaW3ks2tkEnKPRvuk_Vu4W5fvElQYvcas0AlolUD43Dy09b2DNGN3adjM8XhyV3L84g5kZ-4nY3RWKIkRwjZx7EiGTWrRJWx0KuxB_kxrags1p8snen7HmZoGqvX8bLhymTETDOr/s320/chopsticks+007.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250091508961051074" /></a>gingerfileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05946776771209334592noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6662933708876534054.post-4306393333961425972008-09-19T20:31:00.005-05:002008-09-20T18:44:07.797-05:00Trying Something New<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4wxWR8PF_u1_4qV_m_iN0olCx7y5Ip9gxkZX-WDV19wowaKRHmw-JRrkoOiJ4LAVb1xTs4XCVX2lgTAeMLKWytLJQu-eKQo6kVHCO9wINzAO9KFs7M-_ILrnc4HQAZV7KYxfVYFKxREGu/s1600-h/Calligraphy+006.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4wxWR8PF_u1_4qV_m_iN0olCx7y5Ip9gxkZX-WDV19wowaKRHmw-JRrkoOiJ4LAVb1xTs4XCVX2lgTAeMLKWytLJQu-eKQo6kVHCO9wINzAO9KFs7M-_ILrnc4HQAZV7KYxfVYFKxREGu/s320/Calligraphy+006.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247914351781284930" /></a><br /><br />We have been studying different communities and cultures. It was a perfect lead in for introducing Japan. We have been working on a few words and phrases, but today we tried some calligraphy. Our reading series story this week was <span style="font-weight:bold;">The Ballad of Mulan</span>, so I thought it was a perfect opportunity to introduce calligraphy. We watched a YouTube segment on how to hold the brush and the different types of strokes. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl5gerI3gmgiwzlsHVlXOHJzx1rRL4PcejrHSFmjo5u0lI90q1R9McNm0rLnNOS55KfSsP2ygqOanInrVTtjrXvn-uF-KDUhBZye-0p-iBv1MdnUio7FMvexZwT0VCnGf2lvDqBhtJIY0l/s1600-h/Calligraphy+002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl5gerI3gmgiwzlsHVlXOHJzx1rRL4PcejrHSFmjo5u0lI90q1R9McNm0rLnNOS55KfSsP2ygqOanInrVTtjrXvn-uF-KDUhBZye-0p-iBv1MdnUio7FMvexZwT0VCnGf2lvDqBhtJIY0l/s320/Calligraphy+002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247924472700505474" /></a>I found some pictures of Chinese characters and the stroke order so I had a helper enlarge them. When we visited Inagi Dainana Elementary School in Inagi, the students had tracers under the paper to help guide their strokes. I wish I had found a pad of those when I was there, but we made due with what we had. I bought a bunch of brushes at the 100 yen store, and we used black tempera paint instead of ink. We also used white newsprint instead of the paper used at the school. First we practiced holding the brushes. Then we practiced tracing the characters. The students found the way they held the brush made it a little difficult, but they had a great time working on the characters. We wrote person, day, and above. They wanted to try more, but I told them we would practice another day. It was a fun activity, and the kids are more interested in Japan every day!gingerfileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05946776771209334592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6662933708876534054.post-21300545078121649422008-08-20T17:28:00.005-05:002008-09-09T21:21:45.253-05:00Getting Ready for the YearToday was my third day in my class getting ready for the new year. I'm getting ideas straight in my mind for teaching Japan by blending it into the curriculum I'm required to teach. These are a couple of photos of things that will help me fulfill my follow on plan. The bulletin board is in the hall, and on the first day of school the students will all make their own beckoning cat. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtR2LNQqXkkPrEM3Y4w7LHHKHiHGRMJ-C1yK9NjNAQEFRYO3C2yr1kuwZhmV7XKV6lMJdAloYOzpujMnJ4Z-trF2bvSOmyoqVhyczxGCM-rLhwKqKDK9klBkYY_572lcmzk0OrlBgcRz2J/s1600-h/japan+008.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtR2LNQqXkkPrEM3Y4w7LHHKHiHGRMJ-C1yK9NjNAQEFRYO3C2yr1kuwZhmV7XKV6lMJdAloYOzpujMnJ4Z-trF2bvSOmyoqVhyczxGCM-rLhwKqKDK9klBkYY_572lcmzk0OrlBgcRz2J/s320/japan+008.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236731849147701330" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZc9Av2jaUu8DVIb5F9M-gUgq8U8EX3UnTYj4k3rg6xojmKmE2QRYzbHnGSZUI0xT8sE27nWcHx8hiMrAcwyfZOQHopeozcIMXwd-6quoo4A-jgaJ3ksM5NzvLp3r9dnLNEn8W5jjMAx0m/s1600-h/bulletin+board+001.JPG"></a><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZc9Av2jaUu8DVIb5F9M-gUgq8U8EX3UnTYj4k3rg6xojmKmE2QRYzbHnGSZUI0xT8sE27nWcHx8hiMrAcwyfZOQHopeozcIMXwd-6quoo4A-jgaJ3ksM5NzvLp3r9dnLNEn8W5jjMAx0m/s320/bulletin+board+001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244211570784744242" />The other display is in my classroom. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxr2wrNhIhyphenhyphenjtb72DSwxUwRI7OhyJrvCVDYHXpFEQI9AhzMXm22VnyfbH6dJ-1T9mGNw_l_y2_rwIpF-iCd-g86bhgY5WzDsa8mZm5ZfHoOWeLSRKHzXWUKYSVuCX5sVzUTXux9wYLoPCW/s1600-h/japan+006.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxr2wrNhIhyphenhyphenjtb72DSwxUwRI7OhyJrvCVDYHXpFEQI9AhzMXm22VnyfbH6dJ-1T9mGNw_l_y2_rwIpF-iCd-g86bhgY5WzDsa8mZm5ZfHoOWeLSRKHzXWUKYSVuCX5sVzUTXux9wYLoPCW/s320/japan+006.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236732124439673618" /></a><br />That display will probably change throughout the year. I'm ready to go!gingerfileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05946776771209334592noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6662933708876534054.post-14928239213279204292008-08-02T14:33:00.009-05:002008-08-03T16:09:49.348-05:00I'm making sushi - sort of<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_IvprCvy3e5k/SJS3LGhoFiI/AAAAAAAAFaE/yvHJAq-QL8/s1600-h/sushi+027.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-wTEXPm3lYYJkAmpevxEQohLHahyV5Yjl0E3bIMPP_8_xPDPVPQ5jJs7py2S9FXAbGX_kQcmvHZATK-X34ZD1tNCw7Z8Kvo1pjjpKasIznc9qxo1_yYjDXE8kwai8iKPDEugXcWHt4sOU/s320/sushi+027.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230006468642084386" /></a><br />Thursday was the Wisconsin State Fair. Well, it's the best place to buy gadgets and stuff. I found a sushi maker that looked fairly easy to use. So, I bought it, and today was my first attempt at making sushi. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguEs6W54t0LbtWyMGkaCRm1-SzfMS5hIuoIgsxkY8_fWmSZJ48rDvKj5ANFLOO6GafDn5AayxOKQk0PVrdauNDu1l7S8WXvSiNbKB1wC0tllvT7bQplZTzRcOndLkdIcCW44vQN_ine8v4/s1600-h/sushi+030.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguEs6W54t0LbtWyMGkaCRm1-SzfMS5hIuoIgsxkY8_fWmSZJ48rDvKj5ANFLOO6GafDn5AayxOKQk0PVrdauNDu1l7S8WXvSiNbKB1wC0tllvT7bQplZTzRcOndLkdIcCW44vQN_ine8v4/s320/sushi+030.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230006659722737394" /></a><br /><br />Here I am with the head sash and knife that came with the kit. Don't I look official? First, I had to wash the rice. I've never done that before. It took several times to get the water clear. These are all of my ingredients. I wasn't very creative. I have seaweed, avocado, cucumber, fake crab, and salmon.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeNhJHXS0VzU4slAWCGD1fsa2mrYhcZLsJGwjqrXUyzdAv35q9ycIWVBlWDyFASCbvlSdlF8X_q-bxOoWY8F5_97lBtAUtJQVhKHCVRWI8shjDugcnJd_ggQeIVf4UbsiLbOMNMgQ9Ud3y/s1600-h/sushi+032.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeNhJHXS0VzU4slAWCGD1fsa2mrYhcZLsJGwjqrXUyzdAv35q9ycIWVBlWDyFASCbvlSdlF8X_q-bxOoWY8F5_97lBtAUtJQVhKHCVRWI8shjDugcnJd_ggQeIVf4UbsiLbOMNMgQ9Ud3y/s320/sushi+032.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230007412348013474" /></a><br /><br />It took a few tries to get into the grove, but it got easier. I think I need less rice and more filling. The mold is pretty easy to use. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJAh4l6TxdKnQy3cXRt9V8Wf-mCP63hyjmwdaIHqKcvQ8SDG3K6T3ZAvWjhsbDIBr2qkURCc_I3D0sU3XtmYy1Ld-iyxxV4lnyHdL_1a6smppePb8Cut0rXBN_hoKdoJLMhQefbHaQMqs/s1600-h/sushi+034.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJAh4l6TxdKnQy3cXRt9V8Wf-mCP63hyjmwdaIHqKcvQ8SDG3K6T3ZAvWjhsbDIBr2qkURCc_I3D0sU3XtmYy1Ld-iyxxV4lnyHdL_1a6smppePb8Cut0rXBN_hoKdoJLMhQefbHaQMqs/s320/sushi+034.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230007907300902066" /></a> You choose the mold shape that you want. Then, you put the seaweed liner in and fill with rice part way. You use a little pusher to smash the rice down and make an indentation. Put whatever filling you want in the indentation. Fill with rice and then fold the seaweed over the top sealing it with water. Then, the top piece goes on to finish the shape and push it down. There are slits in the side of the mold to cut perfect thicknesses. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1OkpO4gDh4GcGa5yePTTE0-xteN1uyIGXYbKorN9YT26_yUwVa1p6Gtxy1IN7dmc-AGfYEc5B5RK8_x6xm9Z30jsXdhex_VrzmFiA3_H6QNIyqPOH2-35ui2KimjUnx-bxnH8oBB4lz9Z/s1600-h/sushi+036.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1OkpO4gDh4GcGa5yePTTE0-xteN1uyIGXYbKorN9YT26_yUwVa1p6Gtxy1IN7dmc-AGfYEc5B5RK8_x6xm9Z30jsXdhex_VrzmFiA3_H6QNIyqPOH2-35ui2KimjUnx-bxnH8oBB4lz9Z/s320/sushi+036.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230008801154814642" /></a><br />This is my first attempt at sushi. I need to work on the inside out rolls. First I forgot the seaweed, and then I made it look like an eye! Oh well, practice makes perfect. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkOZrc7ySnHmsqd4mMlc7nL2WYD96A6WR6WEyirvBES4EMOHcjfBO76Iey3nQtG0TybEanL0ASo3kk1XPqdxH1L63bPw-3kNMhwJ-VbSqWbCjCIWMp7FM4CfK6OK7UYTdQ2aoCgdithmwT/s1600-h/sushi+038.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkOZrc7ySnHmsqd4mMlc7nL2WYD96A6WR6WEyirvBES4EMOHcjfBO76Iey3nQtG0TybEanL0ASo3kk1XPqdxH1L63bPw-3kNMhwJ-VbSqWbCjCIWMp7FM4CfK6OK7UYTdQ2aoCgdithmwT/s320/sushi+038.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230009451859875954" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8bh6vHUAELT_cdJXaUmGr0wjKFraB17XzRDyvNbJdeTk5VDDPBjRDDpjzwTskCoKfLvjV6WdEb6CtWrGp-Hmq6VJxWxd-aC9c1W5YL_rVFtKes36l2MinDdqt3SoTC79N2x2pF3aPC9OY/s1600-h/sushi+037.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8bh6vHUAELT_cdJXaUmGr0wjKFraB17XzRDyvNbJdeTk5VDDPBjRDDpjzwTskCoKfLvjV6WdEb6CtWrGp-Hmq6VJxWxd-aC9c1W5YL_rVFtKes36l2MinDdqt3SoTC79N2x2pF3aPC9OY/s320/sushi+037.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230009312309594290" /></a><br />Like I said, less rice, more filling. I bought plum wine and sake, so even if it doesn't taste good, I'll think it does. My sister and brother-in-law came over to try the sushi, and they said it was good! I have to agree. I just need to get more inventive with my fillings to shake things up a bit.gingerfileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05946776771209334592noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6662933708876534054.post-32389905176239096092008-07-10T06:08:00.003-05:002008-07-10T06:13:48.415-05:00Two down - two hundred to go?Yea! I've sent the follow on to Seattle Pacific AND JFMF. That's two major tasks done. Now I have many thank yous to write. I've started the main letter that I will work off of, but I have a think and write process that has dogged me since high school. I can't just sit down and complete the writing. I think about it and write a bit, and I do that over and over until its done. It works, but it sure takes a long time! I also pared down my pictures to 536! Now I need to put them in albums and label them with captions. That shouldn't take too long! Right. <br /><br />I've actually gotten out to walk a few time to prepare for the race although it wasn't with a smile on my face. I'm sure when I'm there in the middle of the excitement I'll feel pumped about it, but right now I keep saying to myself, "What was I thinking?"gingerfileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05946776771209334592noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6662933708876534054.post-61469080632100814192008-07-07T10:35:00.002-05:002008-07-07T10:43:01.143-05:00Now the work begins!OK, I've been lazing around putting things away and thinking about all that I have to do. I don't know how the teachers do this in the fall. I'm very grateful that I have the summer to plan and complete all I need to do. I've already submitted my follow-on to Seattle Pacific University, and now I need to send it to JFMF. Then I have a bunch of thank you letters to write. Some I think I will formally type and others I will hand write. I hope I don't offend anyone. Then the big task of planning activities and lessons for the year will begin. I don't feel as though I learned enough about subjects in the short time I was in Japan, so I'll be researching things to make sure I know my stuff. I'm still thinking about the race I'm in on Sunday. I hope thinking about it will help me finish. Let's just hope it's not 90 degrees!<br /><br />Last night I went to dinner with a friend and his family. They took me to Honadas in Kenosha which is a Japanese restaurant. It was very good! Then we looked at my pictures and ate mochi (which I didn't try in Japan). It was a really nice evening. His daughter knows Japanese and is very interested in the culture. I really hope she has the opportunity to go someday. She won't be disappointed!gingerfileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05946776771209334592noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6662933708876534054.post-59479238526603930962008-06-30T09:39:00.003-05:002008-07-02T08:06:58.010-05:00Feeling Human Again!Stealing a line from Beauty and the Beast, I finally feel human again! It was really tough getting over the jet lag this direction. I'm glad it wasn't this bad for the trip. My flight home was a bit uneventful. We were in economy plus which gave us more leg room. That made the flight so much better than the flight to Japan! When I got to Chicago it was time to say goodbye to everyone. We were heading to different gates and different terminals. Most of us just had enough time to go through customs and get to our gate before the next flight started loading. My flight was delayed of course. Then they started to call for people to give up their seats because the flight was oversold. I have always wanted this to happen so I could get a free flight somewhere. At first I thought, no, because I just wanted to get home and the bus would take longer. The lure of a free flight was too much though. The funny thing is that the plane was so late that the people on the plane and the people on the bus got to the baggage claim at the same time. Then, many of our bags weren't there. Somehow, even though the flight was late, our bags didn't make it! My bag with souvenirs made it, but my clothes were still in Chicago.The bag was delivered by 8:40 the next morning. It was all good. Now I'm trying to clear up the debris in my house that I left as I prepared for the trip. I'm getting laundry done, and then I'll tackle the lawn. I even planted flowers yesterday. I guess I'd better think about the triathlon I'm supposed to do the running/walking leg for. Hmmmm. That's it for now. I figured I should at least let you know that I'm home safe and sound.gingerfileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05946776771209334592noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6662933708876534054.post-80827507024955180182008-06-25T20:04:00.010-05:002008-07-25T10:44:04.903-05:00Fish Market<embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" width="400" height="267" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&captions=1&RGB=0x000000&feed=http%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2FInagi2008%2Falbumid%2F5226972860575521729%3Fkind%3Dphoto%26alt%3Drss" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed><br /><br /><br />We were up early today 5:15 which probably wasn't really early enough, but we wanted to go to the famous Tsukiji fish market. We were told that the people working there don't really appreciate the tourists, because they get in the way and cause confusion. There are no flash pictures, and if you value your life, you won't get too close to the people cutting fish and you'll watch for the motorized carts. They won't stop for you! I'm hoping I got some good pictures. I didn't use a flash and they were all moving very fast, so things could be blurry!<br /><br />We had yet another huge breakfast brunch, but this time I loaded up. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSDXnuPMTYNACNFEheIULjTQSJhlp8KeWKNiv8umIq-a3SP1f9fkhMExAJyP0cnZJA9TELZp3xWctBs7eaA_VSMWhdalEmopDbYMngpeQNXV9RVsYg5fsoiEJzsur5DYdn-qFj33URFr1A/s1600-h/Fish+Market+082.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSDXnuPMTYNACNFEheIULjTQSJhlp8KeWKNiv8umIq-a3SP1f9fkhMExAJyP0cnZJA9TELZp3xWctBs7eaA_VSMWhdalEmopDbYMngpeQNXV9RVsYg5fsoiEJzsur5DYdn-qFj33URFr1A/s320/Fish+Market+082.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215993795476306962" /></a>We have to check out by 12, and I don't leave until 2:30 for the airport. I really don't want to go out. Some people are rushing out to buy last minute things. You know how I feel about shopping. Just so you know, if I don't have something for you, I was thinking of you. Heh, I just sent my last postcards yesterday!<br />I really should get out and walk though. I will be sitting on the plane for 12 hours! The lucky people going to D.C. have a 14 hour flight! Yikes! Someone said that for $100 you can upgrade to economy plus. I may think about it. The cramped 9 hour flight was tough enough. I'm hoping I'll sleep since I got up early. Well, I think that's it for me from Tokyo. I'll either update this blog with more information and pictures when I get home, or I'll link it to a web site. Thanks for tuning in. I've enjoyed the emails and comments!gingerfileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05946776771209334592noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6662933708876534054.post-13268549307198748352008-06-25T08:58:00.009-05:002008-07-25T11:40:37.291-05:00Last Official Day - June 25The day started with the presentations from all of the groups. They were all very interesting and entertaining. The Superintedent of the Inagi City Schools and two school board members attended the session. It was so nice to see them. The group from Ichinoseki had some pretty sobering pictures from the earthquake that happened over a week ago. They were very thankful to the people, because despite the natural disaster, the group was still warmly welcomed. They said an earthquake of that magnitude happens about once a century. After that, what else? We had a gigantic buffet. I'm glad only our bags are weighed on the way home! Then we had wrap up and registered for our class through Seattle Pacific University. Not everyone is taking the class, but it's basically just completing what we've already agreed to do. We had a break before the final farewell buffet, so a group of us hopped the train to the Meiji Shrine and the beautiful iris gardens. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT0pOS02zPAxdrp-6dfpKN8f_bw9AezC2eyPcUXCOgbtMYtlpCuNe0Y_TLo2QD0gDPjW8wka2oDHDYClXnOCaU8EnULpYn_QhE7xhdaKm0WjvURRn36_LMC36ixNecOXstBh9hEfLJhajh/s1600-h/June+25,+2008+040.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT0pOS02zPAxdrp-6dfpKN8f_bw9AezC2eyPcUXCOgbtMYtlpCuNe0Y_TLo2QD0gDPjW8wka2oDHDYClXnOCaU8EnULpYn_QhE7xhdaKm0WjvURRn36_LMC36ixNecOXstBh9hEfLJhajh/s320/June+25,+2008+040.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215825046049569106" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLIWLByKsPALP3uC_hQMuyE3MfRahW4lnF_NN0yWKCh0ghLexFccEzNdyTiTGXJGioQHXMK-lMXAuBm0vRjMQKM5t8PYID4_NaYRA5NhxT7xk-qtX5c1NlV9C45VVjWn_DvCMF6-kCwL1E/s1600-h/June+25,+2008+042.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLIWLByKsPALP3uC_hQMuyE3MfRahW4lnF_NN0yWKCh0ghLexFccEzNdyTiTGXJGioQHXMK-lMXAuBm0vRjMQKM5t8PYID4_NaYRA5NhxT7xk-qtX5c1NlV9C45VVjWn_DvCMF6-kCwL1E/s320/June+25,+2008+042.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215825390772769986" /></a><br /><br />Apparently the emperor would often walked these grounds because they are so beautiful. It took us awhile to find where we were going, so we had a whopping 20 minutes to walk the garden. That was too bad, because there were trails beyond the garden. Once again the Shrine is now located in the midst of a very busy business district, but when you are on the grounds you would never know it. It is so quiet! Of course you rarely hear cars honking horns or sirens anyway. We made it back to the hotel with about 45 minutes to freshen up before the Sayonara Buffet. Oka-san was able to attend the buffet after attending the session in the morning, so it was nice to spend one last night with her.<br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTPOdDfeaHrI2VPKj_EeihtL3jQTzC5YMIPKN_lMG2qzHQCGFWgsBWoT7343kqkxfQsreeKWSdwWlMakTkZ1PRg2fJbqhyt5inJciHuKJZVLyhXcQAEDzJJw-PBupo26cBbtfR6t3PNYaJ/s1600-h/June+25,+2008+160.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTPOdDfeaHrI2VPKj_EeihtL3jQTzC5YMIPKN_lMG2qzHQCGFWgsBWoT7343kqkxfQsreeKWSdwWlMakTkZ1PRg2fJbqhyt5inJciHuKJZVLyhXcQAEDzJJw-PBupo26cBbtfR6t3PNYaJ/s320/June+25,+2008+160.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215824716305236130" /></a>I ate sushi until my eyes popped out! Then we were treated to an Aikido demonstration. <br /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" width="400" height="267" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&captions=1&RGB=0x000000&feed=http%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2FInagi2008%2Falbumid%2F5226984057331097761%3Fkind%3Dphoto%26alt%3Drss" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed>Finally we sang "Auld Lang Syne". The Japanese speaking guides and guests sang it in Japanese. I think I wrote earlier that this is a popular song in Japan to sing at graduation. It is so popular that many Japanese students think it is Japanese folk song. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcrnPjEmZbTThcxLT61jDcAz5MBMWjWUn_8Y0mViU4zRL2Zpnp7qub29LtMjkq5j1HtswWB_LwCt0yJ_5wZI5UoQaTtCQtbX7j63Q_HpB9yT2cCk0yv0oRSvQFO3ujo4vpiKht4s71_A9c/s1600-h/June+25,+2008+157.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcrnPjEmZbTThcxLT61jDcAz5MBMWjWUn_8Y0mViU4zRL2Zpnp7qub29LtMjkq5j1HtswWB_LwCt0yJ_5wZI5UoQaTtCQtbX7j63Q_HpB9yT2cCk0yv0oRSvQFO3ujo4vpiKht4s71_A9c/s320/June+25,+2008+157.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215824254313244162" /></a>Then we sang in English. I think that's when it hit many of us that this is it. It's over. Our journey began 17 days ago and the time has just flown by. Our experiences have been very different but the feeling about Japan and its people is the same. This is a country of gracious, sincere, and friendly people, and the similarities between our countries far outweigh our differences. My unending gratitude goes out to the government of Japan and the JFMF organization for this opportunity of a life time.gingerfileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05946776771209334592noreply@blogger.com3