Merry Christmas :D

My apologies for the super-delayed update. I guess I've been thinking about what I should share with you boys and girls.

Well, first off, Christmas marks my second month here in Japan. SECOND MONTH! Where is time going? It's already been two weeks since I last blogged! To be honest, the last two weeks or so have been really really tough...emotionally. I've been missing home. But I've been receiving a lot of encouragement from my family and friends to keep me going. Also, I know I am here for a reason so that has kept me going as well. As a pastor at home has told me before I left, I only have 8 months to serve in Japan (for now, anyway), so make good use of this time. Amen to that. Hopefully in the months to come, I'll get to know my students better and be able to share my faith with them.

The cutest thing happened last night. I taught the children how to use adjectives. So, I compared a "thick book" to a "thin magazine". As I tried to say magazine in Japanese, this 6-year-old boy corrected me. Hahah..he repeated himself 3x (slowly, might I add) so I could repeat after him. Because that's what I do to them all the time, so it was his turn to shine. I thought it was cute. I still can't pronounce it properly, I don't think. I was also very encouraged to hear yesterday that a student of mine really wants to learn English (although it has been a challenge for her) because she wants to be a minister. That uplifted my spirit--to see a young child be so passionate and determined.

I learned a new recipe today! I now know how to make OKONOMIYAKI :D It's an omlette/pizza dish..don't worry, I shall cook it for you when I come back to Canada :D It is worth the wait!

I've been listening to the online radio for the past few weeks! Anyway, they've been talking about how people are all so stressed out because they have no time to buy presents, etc. etc. etc...Christmas shouldn't have to be stressful! It's a celebration of hope...yet this important point is missed or even forgotten at times because of the stress of giving presents. Giving shouldn't have to be stressful, either! How silly is that. I hope we all prepare room for Him in our hearts this Christmas. Happy birthday, Jesus :D

MERRRRRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!! Eat lots and send some leftovers to me! Much love from Japan!

Howdy friends!

I'm still here! And let me start off by saying that I did not get lost this week.

I had the privilege of spending the day with an older gentlemen and 3 younger girls (who are also my students) from church on Sunday. It was an afternoon and evening well-spent. I've never met my grandfathers so it was as if I had a grandpa for a day :D He took us (the "grand-daughters") to the Noritake Park, which is known for its ceramics. We each got to each choose a candy/chocolate of our liking and he bought it for us! Hahaa...that was cute. Then he brougt us out for sushi--with those circulating plates where you just grab whatever you like as it comes to you. "Grandpa" also treated us to that delicious meal :D Sweet man, indeed. We played with his dogs and we all walked over to Nagoya Station where the Illumination light works is held. Beautiful indeed...made me miss home a bit >_< It was an interesting day. Imagine 4 people who barely know any English and 1 person who knows very limited Japanese spending the day together....we managed. We had fun :D Or at least I know I did! At the store, a lady started talking to me but I told her that I wasn't Japanese and did not know the language. Then, she continued to talk to me in Japanese! Hahaha...I thought that was funny. She tried to use some English too. We managed...as well. Since she was promoting chocolate, she decided to give me a few more samples as "presents"..haha...cute. I like free.


Today I decided to be adventurous. I tried one of the Japanese's favourite food..... NATTO. It is some kind of fermented beans. Everyone is telling me that I should try them. So, I did today. I opened up the package and I was blown away by the strong smell of....some indescribable smell. It was strong. Then, I heated the beans up in a pan, and oh my......the smell got even stronger. I can smell it as I type...even after half an hour, and with the window opened, and with a scented candle burning, and after a few sprays of room fragrance. These beans are...SLIMY. It's weird putting something slimy into the mouth...yes, slimy is the word. The beans were soft and slimy...and strong in aroma. It came in a package of 3...not sure if the other 2 packages will be finished. Let's just say that it was alright to try; not sure if it will become part of my diet. I highly doubt it. Baaaa...my lips were slimy after I finished them. *shivers*

I want to make lasagna...but those pasta sheets are pricy here!!!! $6 for a package of like 12 sheets. And they're small, too. And I can't afford rice here, either. Why is rice expensive in a country where people consume rice in every meal??? I don't get it. WAKANAI!!!! ("I don't understand")

Tonight I had a student tell me that she is happy in English class. Hehe...that was definitely nice to hear. I must say that I'm discouraged at times when my students do not understand and say muzukashi ("difficult") or wakanai. But a friend reminded me that I can't expect myself to be good at everything. And he's right. I need to trust that God will empower me to do His work here.


Nagoya Station: "Illumination"






[can't forget about the doggy]