Churches and beaches

I went to two churches today.  One was in Japanese, the other was in English.

The English church is an evangelical free church, the denomination I grew up in.  They seem to be pretty sound, but I get the feeling I've heard all their messages before.  This church is within biking distance from my apt, and lots of people from school recommended it.  They also have small groups that I'm interested in.  I might check them out seperately.  I've been going one place two or three times to get the feel of the church and then checking another.  So next week I'll go somewhere else.  I have more recommendations from friends.

The Japanese Church is a small Holiness Church (less than 20 active members, and six of those are a family).  The pastor and his wife are Korean missionaries who worked in Shinagawa.  Today she told me I have "missionary" written across my forehead.  There are a lot of second generation or Japanese-American Christians there, so it's nice to talk to people who have similar experiences.

Other than that, I've made some good friends in my program and at my apartment complex.  Things are working out pretty well so far.  The reading here is heavy, and I worry about completing my assignments on time, but I've done fine so far. 

I've got a small work-study as a "conversation facilitator" in an English class for international students, but it's hardly twenty bucks a week.  I might look for a part-time job too if I have the time.

Yesterday I went to Laguna Beach with my cousin T and his son M.  They tried to teach me to snorkel, but the waves were really surging high.  It was still a great experience though.  I also got to see their younger boy practice gymnastics. 

I guess that's about all for now.  I'm gonna try and take some pictures so I have something to show as well as tell here. :)  Later!

A New Stage

So it's been a long time. I've been using the internet at the library downtown and as such haven't had much open access. I've also been busy finalizing details about going to grad school.

So, I left from Aomori Airport two weeks ago today after helping at Living English Camp. Mostly only teachers from Seiai came.


Then I went to Yokohama and helped with the VBS program at Yokohama Union Church. But I had to cut out on that early and leave on Thursday because my visa expired that Friday.

I spent the next week at home with the folks. Went to check out my brother's apartment in Iowa City.

Then I flew to LA on Saturday. I'm staying with my aunt here until I move into my apartment and have orientation tomorrow. I'm planning to get a masters in TESOL and then head back to Japan.

I met a few retired missionaries from Japan (some who went to Tak!) at my aunt's Sunday School class, and sat in front of a Japanese woman during the service. We had a short conversation.

Coming out here to such a large church was a bit of culture shock. But over all it's been great so far. Aunt B has been living in LA for decades, but she moved to this part of town 5 years ago. She said it's been tough to get reoriented, but seems to have found a good place. She has many friends and seems to be a genuine encouragement to most.

...I guess I should change the title of this blog.

More later!

point cards

after three years, i have about \1000 or $10 worth of ito yo points. what should i get? 〓

what i did this afternoon

first bowling, then purikura and DDR.

these students graduated last year. it was really great to c them again

immortalized at cafe jeeba

yesterday the patron artist of cafe jeeba draw a picture of me. she's a seiai grad too. who knew? N

fans from my 3rd grade HS class

they wrote g'bye messages on these

this is maybe the best present i've gotten yet

my g'bye flowers from school

this is a bouquet 花束 はなたば

in a vase 花瓶 かびん

Gospel Concert in Aomori

Last night I also went to Aomori to see a gospel concert.

The speaker was a famous Korean pastor.


And we ran into some of the boys from Youth Live at Zion Church in Hirosaki.

School Festival Day 1

Well, the events have started, so I'm trying to keep up. Here you go.

On Friday, I got a surprise exchange student from Boston. She'll be here for about a month.

She asked me, "What's the point of the school festival?" And I think the answer is to have fun. Get friends, family and community members to see the school, and maybe make a little money on the side.


Students show off their skills and type to sell fun junk. It's kind of like a carnival mixed with an open house.


The flower club.
Some kids who have a band.

A maid cafe selling ice cream.
The cafeteria ladies.
Second year English course students going into the haunted house.
More on Monday from the "Stage Show" day. Bye for now!