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]