Baseball and Blossoms: Spring is Here!

One of my students took us out for lunch last Tuesday right before the blossoms were in full bloom. But look at that view!

Hello, dear friends!

I am happy to report that spring has sprung here in Tsu City! Warm sunshine once again streams through my bedroom window each morning, which has actually makes me less reluctanct to get out of bed in the morning. I no longer have to fear the cold that awaits me once I pull away the covers! Indeed, it has been a welcomed relief to know that, as we transition into a new - and busier - class schedule at OBC, the weather is one thing we no longer have to worry about.

We are now in the middle of our second full week of the new schedule, and things have been going quite well. I like that I am now much busier during the middle of the week; it feels like a real school schedule. Of course it means that by Thursday night I am absolutely exhausted, but it also means that I enjoy my 2-class Friday that much more! I've been having a great time getting to know some new students and understanding the best ways to teach the new textbooks. All in all, it's been a good change.

One sure sign of spring: baseball. Sarah and I went to the Mie Three Arrows home opener two weekends ago, and it was quite the experience. We actually went to a pre-season game a few weeks ago, but this game was totally different. The stands were packed, the weather was gorgeous, the beer was ¥350 (about $4), and we even had 5th inning stretch (it's different in Japan, I guess) entertainment. The Arrows lost the game, but that didn't stop us from purchasing t-shirts and getting a few of the players to sign them. Now would probably be a good time to mention that Sarah is dating one of the pitchers for the Arrows, so we've become friends with a few of the team members. It was fun to finally see them play after spending so much time with them off the field! Sarah has of course gone to more games than I have already (she's a much bigger baseball fan than I am), but I'll continue to go to all the games I can!

Grooming the field after the 5th inning

Entertainment. Only in Japan...

This is the other team's mascot, but I thought this scene was hilarious.

Go Three Arrows!

The don't shake hands after a game; they bow.

Signing autographs

Our little baseball fan club

Last weekend was definitely o-hanami (cherry blossom viewing) weekend in this part of Japan. The blossoms only last about 10 days once they've bloomed, and Saturday and Sunday were the perfect days to see them. I actually took a solo trip up to Nagoya on Friday morning because my morning class was cancelled. I walked along the river, which was lined with what looked like wall-to-wall cherry blossoms. I've never seen anything like that before. I'm not sure how much the fame, regalia, and history of Japan's cherry blossoms impacts my viewing of them, but regardless of my preconceptions about them, they truly are a sight to behold. I couldn't get enough as I strolled up and down each side of the river. all of the photos in the world can't do the beauty and grace of these blossoms justice. I know this sounds super corny, but they smelled so good that I literally didn't want to have to exhale. I wanted to breathe in the scent nonstop! Even the drizzle of the day couldn't dampen my enjoyment.

Lunch under the cherry blossoms

On Saturday, Peter and I had lunch in Tsu Castle Park and then headed to Tsu Kairaku Park to again view the blossoms. Tsu Kairaku Park was some kind of springtime wonderland with all of the flowers, food stands, and picnickers.We just walked through and took it all in. It was actually my first time visiting the park, because I just recently found out that it exists. But I will certainly be going there more often in the next few months. It's beautiful!

Just a few of the many food stands

On Sunday, Sarah's student who often has us over to her house for dinner took Sarah, Peter, and me, along with about 12 other people, to the Ano Dam and Ishiyama kano (Stone Mountain) near Suzuka. We hiked up the mountain (more of a foothill, really), which is special because it has 33 Buddhas carved into the side of it. Afterward, we enjoyed a small tea ceremony and then headed to a nearby field for a barbecue under the cherry blossoms. I played catch with one of Sarah's student's grandaughters for about a half an hour before we devoured a delicious meal of meat, vegetables, noodles, and fruit. Sarah's student's family accompanied us on our excursion along with some of the Vietnamese students from Mie University. We had a terrific time. It was so peaceful, and the mountain area was one of the most beautiful I've ever seen. Sometimes, I just can't believe how nice the people are that we've been lucky enough to meet over here.

This is Ano Dam, and they just randomly had this huge slide nearby. We all took turns sliding down it, which was pretty fun, but check out that VIEW! Gorgeous!

Buddhas in the mountain

This is the way to picnic.

Some of our new friends!

My Saturday night student told me why cherry blossoms are so special in Japan. They mean more to Japanese people than just the signal of spring. They embody the Japanese spirit. With most flowers, the leaves come first, and then the blossoms. But cherry blossoms are the opposite: the buds bloom and then fall away after a short time, and after they do, the leaves grow. The flowers die when they are in their prime, at the peak of their beauty. This parallels the noble and ideal Japanese life. It's really profound, and, as my student said, terribly sad.

We all continue to keep and eye on the news and send prayers for those in the north as often as we can. I can't tell you how grateful my students are for all of the help that has poured into this country in the last month. As we reflected on the one month anniversary of the earthquake this week, I told my students about some of the things that CSB|SJU campus groups have been doing to support the relief effort. They all bowed their heads gratefully and said "Thank you" more wholeheartedly than anything I've heard before. Some of them get tears in their eyes, and their gratitude is overwhelming. They are humbled by the support that people around the world continue to offer, and that, in and of itself, is humbling to me.

Take care, dear friends!

P.S. Good news: Andy will be making a return trip to Japan in May! And my friends Heather and Tom will visit Tsu in June! Good weather brings with it wonderful guests!

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"This is a transition time in Japan."

A student who has become a close friend spoke the words in the title of this post to me yesterday. I'm quite sure she had no idea just how true that statement is. Of course, we are all in a transition time over here after the terrible earthquake and tsunami on March 11. People in the north are slowly piecing their lives back together and everyone in my part of the country is doing the best they can to help while also returning to their daily lives. But the end of March also marks the end of "year" in Japan, at least fiscally and academically speaking. Our elementary, junior high, and high school students are moving up a level in their classes, and OBC is starting its "new year" with new textbooks and an altered class schedule. We've had many absences in the past couple of weeks since a lot of our students who work for companies in Tsu are busy with year-end duties, taxes, budgets, etc. All in all, it's just a crazy time of year here. It reminds me a lot of May in America: finishing the school year, finalizing summer plans, looking ahead to what will happen in the fall.

I said goodbye to two students on Wednesday, which is what prompted this "transition" blog entry. It turns out that, with the schedule change, this week was going to be our last class together anyway since Peter will now teach that Wednesday class. However, both of them have now discontinued from OBC due to things happening in their personal lives, which is completely understandable. This news was sprung on me at the beginning of our class on Wednesday, so we wrapped up our last 50-minute class with hugs, gifts, and pictures. These ladies have been such a hoot. I usually don't even have to say anything for most of the class. They are a very high level, they're good friends, and they just love love LOVE to talk. I really enjoyed getting to know them, and I can't believe I probably won't see them again. It's so strange to think that I'll be doing this in all of my classes in just four months. How is it already April?

I visited Yuki Shrine here in Tsu a few weeks ago, but I of course haven't had a chance to post pictures. Yuko Shrine has become quite famous for its plum blossoms. Next to the shrine is an absolutely gorgeous garden filled with plum trees. Tour buses come from all over the place - even other prefectures - to see these trees. My students are the ones who told me about it, but many of them are also a little resentful of its popularity. It used to be free, but now, of course, they charge an entrance fee. Most of my students have told me that they haven't gone since the price was hiked to 500 yen. To me, that seems reasonable enough, but to my older students...forget about it. It's actually quite funny to hear them complain about it. The garden, though, is beautiful. I couldn't take enough pictures, and I never wanted to leave. It smelled so good, it was our first true spring day in Tsu, and the atmosphere was so relaxed and peaceful. And these aren't even the cherry blossoms! (Those will start next week.) Enjoy:

I think this tree looks like it's dancing.

This, to me, is Japan: Torii Gate, beautiful nature, Japanese fashion, and technology.

Last Sunday, I invited two of my students over to our apartment for lunch. These are the students who threw me a late birthday party in February; we have lunch together about once a month. One of them gave me a Japanese cookbook for my birthday, and I told her I'd have them over and cook them some Japanese food. Well, let's just say that I have yet to master the art of Japanese cuisine. All of my recipe attempts failed royally, so I ended up making it an American/Italian/recent-college-graduate meal. I made shrimp scampi, bruschetta, and homemade applesauce, Sarah made a salad (She's a vegetarian. Get it?), and Peter made French onion soup and dessert - Oreo pancakes. It was quite the feast, and they really enjoyed it, but the only Japanese part was the green tea and guests. Maybe next time...

I hope this update finds all of you soaking up some spring sunshine. I'd love to hear how you're all doing.

Take care.

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Cautiously Grateful

"It's depressing, but we still have hope."

Our friend Aki spoke these words to me earlier this week, and I can say that, at this moment in Japan, I'm not sure that any feeling is truer. I've heard the word "hope" circulating among my Japanese students and friends here all week, and though it always accompanies a sad shake of the head or a moment of silence as we allow our minds to flash back to the horrible images that have overwhelmed our senses these past days, it nevertheless seems to triumph in even the most mundane daily conversations.

To say this past week was a whirlwind would be an understatement. We watched the news unfold last weekend with misty eyes and heavy hearts. The level of devastation is unfathomable, and I continue to be cautiously grateful that, at this moment, all is well in Tsu City. We didn't understand how serious this disaster was until Sunday, when the dust had metaphorically and literally begun to settle, statistics started rolling in, and people started speaking. Classes at the beginning of the week were sad; all of my students' emotions were still fresh. Talking with my high school students on Monday was poignant. I'm not that much older than they are, but to see how sad and scared they were saddened and scared me. Another student told me of her grandson who, after the quake, drove over a bridge, only to learn that it had collapsed when he was only a kilometer past it. I teared up multiple times and had to force myself to "be the teacher" and take control of the conversation. Thankfully, I had the luck of the Irish on my side this week, and my St. Patrick's Day lesson became the relief that we all needed. My students took more interest in it than they might have otherwise; they welcomed the break from the headlines.

As the week progressed, the threat of nuclear meltdown gripped all of us, and I finally got scared. OBC has been honest about the fact that we may have to go home if things get worse, but at this moment, I am perfectly safe here. Scientifically speaking, I'm 700+ kilometers away from the nuclear plant, but the American media has a way of clouding or realistic judgment. Mie is a very, very safe place to be right now, even though the news casts make it look like the entire country is ravaged. Rumors ran rampant on Thursday and Friday to the detriment of those of us over here who really were worried. But things have calmed and are semi-stable for now.

Many of my Japanese friends still feel guilty doing anything "normal" when so many of their fellow country people in the north are suffering so much. The solidarity and respect I've seen here has been overwhelming, and you can't go anywhere now without seeing donation boxes, all of which have money in them. In fact this weekend, we went to our usual montly Beatles concert, the profits of which were donated to earthquake relief, and the melting pOt, where the cover and 100 yen of each drink sold were sent up north. Today, Sarah and I got massages from my stuent's brother-in-law, and he donated part of his profit to disaster relief. I'm doing my part to support the local economy, help those in need in the only way I can, and continue living my daily life for the sake of my own well-being.

It'll be years before Japan fully recovers from this. I've been moved in this past week by the stories, images, emotions, support, and reverence I've seen for and in this country. These are in incredible people, and their strength and selflessness is noble. Thank you again, all of you, for your continued thoughts, prayers, and concerns. I appreciate the outpouring of support more than you know, both for me and my well-being along with the well-being of my students, friends, and the thousands of Japanese people who have been far more affected than I have been. Again, the three of us here at OBC are lucky to be where we are, and we continue to be cautiously grateful.

May God hold you in the palm of His hands, dear friends.

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I'm safe.

I'd like to thank my former Journey group leader for reminding me that this a good forum to let everyone know that we're okay here.

We're safe here in Mie. Thanks so much for all of your concern over the past day. The three of us OBC teachers, along with the staff and students, are perfectly okay. Yesterday afternoon, I felt the earthquake while I was home for lunch, but it felt like the one that happened when I first got here in July: just a small tremor, something that happens fairly reguarly, nothing to be alarmed about. I had no idea until I got to school last night that it was part of the biggest earthquake in Japan's history, and that it brought with it a tsunami warning. Here in Tsu, they evacuated the homes near the coast, but everyone and everything ended up being fine.

As you know, though, the destruction up north is devastating, and it'll take years for Japan to rebuild from this. I know some of the people here are naturally pretty distraught, so keep those prayers and good thoughts coming. They need 'em.

I hope this update finds all of you well.  Take care.

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March Madness

GOOOOOOO TIGERS!
*cheers*

Of COURSE my sister would make it to the state basketball tournament the year that I leave the country.  That's the thought that is consuming me at the moment, as I just received the news.  (Thanks, Facebook.)  I couldn't listen to the game because I was teaching, but I'm hoping I can catch the first round next week.  I soooo wish that I could be in the Cities next week to watch the excitement unfold.  Congratulations, Amanda and the rest of the Tigers!  I am so proud of all of you!  I've even got a few of my students cheering!

March Madness in the court is accomanying just as much madness in real life.  I always feel like I'm busy and having something to do, but now that I've sat down to write about it, I just can't pinpoint it.  I think it's just the basics of our day-to-day here: lesson plans, teaching, socializing with students, socializing with friends, keeping in touch with everyone back home, making travel plans, and somehow managing to relax a little.  I have no idea how this week has gone so quickly; it's practically the middle of March.  Before we know it, cherry blossoms will be here, and then I'll be just a few short months away from returning to the U.S.  But I have so much to do before that!

In keeping with the theme of disjointedness that seems to have taken over this entry, here is a list of the random thoughts I've got to share with you today.  Before I sat down to write this, I had a lot more.  They'll come to me later, I'm sure.  In the mean time, enjoy:

1. While teaching my students about Lent this week and how many Christians give something up as an offering to God, one of my bolder adult women said, completely seriously, "I'm glad I'm not Christian."

2. While at dinner with a student last week, I ate raw horse meat.  It was prett good.

3. Sarah and I finally saw "The King's Speech" last weekend.  It was FANTASTIC.  I understand why it won Best Picture, and I was surprised by how funny it was.  And Geoffrey Rush?  A gem of a performance.

4. In the past week, I've received shortbread cookies from London, olive oil from Spain, cookies from Hokkaido, a postcard from the van Gogh exhibit in Nagoya, and some White Day chocolate.  And this is about average.  My students are so generous.

5. Great teaching moment: One of my Wednesday night women brought in the English textbook that she studies outside of class (because she's that committed...seriously) to show me that she recognized some of the words in it because I had taught them to her (see: "jargon" and "synonymous").  She said, "I noticed these words, so I thought, 'You are a really great teacher!'"  Well, she's a pretty good student.

Also, as we enter this Lenten season, if you've got a prayer or two to spare, please send them this way.  I've written before about Mr. Yokota, the 91-year-old founder of OBC, WWII veteran, devout Catholic, and all around champion human being.  He passed away this week, so on top of everything else happening at OBC (it's the end of the academic year in Japan), his family is dealing with the loss of a father, grandfather, and friend.  The three of us were able to stop by the church for a sort of visitation last night to pay our respects, which I'm grateful for.  He was, without a doubt, the most amazing person I've ever met, and I am blesssed to have gotten the chance to speak with him on a few occassions.  He was a faith-filled man, and I have no doubt that now he is exactly where he should be.

Take care, dear friends!

March 3 was "Girls Day," or the Hina (Hina Doll Festival). On Girls Day, all businesses (and I mean all) put Hina Dolls on display in their windows as they are supposed to keep bad luck away.

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