Greenlake! This Monday!

Hey all! Hope the summer has continued to treat everyone well. Time has slipped away from me a bit and the Hiroshima memorial event at Greenlake is this coming Monday! Here's the info from the organizer:

Monday, August 6, starts at 6:30pm
From Hiroshima to Hope, A Lantern Floating Ceremony
NW Shore of Green Lake, just south of the former Bathhouse Theater
Free and open to the public

Join us in this annual event to remember those who perished in the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings. This family-oriented program will conclude with the Buddhist Toro Nagashi ceremony, a candle-lit lantern commemoration remembering the victims of war and other violence

Initially, we had discussed getting together, swapping some pictures from the trip, and possibly all getting dinner beforehand. Before we commit to this event however, I do want check and see if everyone is still interested in getting together and making the trek out to Seattle. Can everyone post a comment and let us all know whether you are in and are going to be able to make it. Once we see who's coming, we can figure out all of the specific details about where/when we will meet, etc. Also, be sure to spread the word to those folks who aren't checking the blog. Let's try to get this all figured out a.s.a.p.

Hopefully I'll see you guys soon!

We're Back!

A big ol' thanks to everyone who helped make this trip fantastic! It's hard to believe that after so much travel and so many days gone (not to mention natural disasters and dying school administrators) that we are all back and sleeping in our own beds. It definitely feels a bit odd to be back in your own home. I hope that everybody is rested and recovered from the plane ride and that you are all in the process of re-adjusting to life back in the Valley....I know I had a hard time sleeping last night--especially for being so completely drained and sleep-deprived!

I also figured that I would keep the blog up and running. I know Madison (who, like some kind of derranged mad-woman, has already flown back to California) requested that everyone posts their email addresses so that you all can keep in touch...

Have a great summer everyone! Be in touch! Check the blog! And let's all try to get together for the Aug. 6th memorial at Greenlake...it'd be a great chance to show our respect, swap some pictures, grab a bite to eat, and just catch up.

Talk to everyone soon!

Homeward Bound!

We are officially done and headed home! After our weeks of travel, good times, typhoons, earthquakes (which wasn't even close to where we are), it's all over. All that"s left for us to do is to throw our overstuffed bags on the bus and head to the airport. None of us can believe it's over. See everybody this afternoon! (I can say that because we actually are going back in time due to the time differences...)

Here's all of our flight info: United #0820 (From San Francisco). Arrive in Seattle at 2:59pm

Osaka!

Things are definitely going well. After some tearful goodbyes this morning, we took a bus to Osaka and are currently enjoying the city in all of its futuristic concrete splendor. All we've got left is dinner, a good night's sleep, and then our flight tomorrow (3:30pm). See you soon!

The picture above was taken at Osaka's beautiful, 2-story Apple store...Quinn and I are kind of geeking out right now.

You call that a Typhoon!?...Ha!

Well, it looks like the typhoon hardly lived up to all the hype. Here in Naga (which is part of the Wakayama Prefecture) we barely even felt it. Yesterday was a bit gusty and definitely rainy...but that was it. The brunt of the storm was supposed to hit our area in the middle of the night, but it took a right turn and is currently on its way up the coast and out to sea. Most of the damage that Japan endured was felt far to the South (Okinawa). That's not to say there wasn't any damage. According to the news (or at least the footage the news is showing...since I can't understand what they are saying), there's some flooding and the occasional mudslide. As far as I can tell though, our area is just fine.

Also to note: most of the airports are currently closed due to weather concerns. It does seem like they should be back up and running by late this afternoon and definitely by tomorrow. With our flight 2 days away, I don't see any problems.

Sayonara Party Update!

This message is mainly for students...Sadly, one of the vice principals at Naga High School tragically passed away today (not my host though...he is still alive and snoring loudly) from a brain annuerysm. Just to clarify, this individual was not someone any of us had met...he had been on a leave of absence (with complaints of headaches and dizziness) for a little over a week. As is Japanese custom, all weekend there will be memorial services held for him. As a result, our Sayonara party has been postponed until Monday morning at 8:30. So, the way the schedule now stands is that you've got the weekend with your host family and Monday morning we will have a shortened Sayonara party before we get on the bus to Osaka. I believe all of the host families have already been contacted with this new information...but, I figured I'd post it here as well just in case any of you were having difficulty understanding the translated message. So, sad news indeed...but do enjoy your final weekend in Naga. Be aware of the typhoon (we should just see some heavy wind and rain), and I will see everyone bright and early Monday morning!

Til then...

School's Out!

Not much to report today. It was a half day here at the high school and all of the students spent the morning in various classes (mainly English). So, our time at the high school comes to a quiet close. Most of the students are out enjoying a rainy Friday afternoon with their host families. I think a good handful of them are even off to see the new Harry Potter movie tonight...not sure if it will be in English or Japanese.

The weather here has started to become progrssively wetter. The past few nights have been filled with some heavy rain and lightning; today it's just been humid and soggy. The brunt of the typhoon (note that I didn't say "tsunami" this time) is supposed to hit mainland Japan sometime tonight or tomorrow. Take a look at the sattelite picture above, one can see the swirling storm just South of Japan...It should be an interesting weekend.

Snow, flooding, wind storms, power-outages, typhoons!? Mount Si just can't seem to catch a break this year!

I will be sure to keep everyone posted as the storm hits...I've been told repeatedly that the most we should see here in Naga is some intense wind and rain...nothing our kids can't handle. After all, when it comes to weather...we've seen just about all Mother Nature can throw at us.

Blackmail

Just figured I'd throw this one in for a little embarassment. It was taken on the winding busride back down to Naga. Everyone (besides Lindsey and Jordan...who know nothing about this shot) thought it would make a great pic for the website. I had to agree. Feel free to forward it onto friends and relatives.

Mt. Koya Meets Mt. Si

Today, the group traveled about 1.5 hours by bus to the remote area of Mt. Koya. The small village is an epicenter of religous practice (Shinto and Buddhism) and is scattered with shrines, temples, and monastaries. We toured many of the most famous ones, wandered around the town, and were guided to the best and most interesting sites by a great English-speaking guide. Our lunch was a traditional feast put on by a local group of monks at their monastary/restraunt/dining hall. We sat crosslegged on pillows and ate a variety of things nobody was too sure about--all vegetarian, all interesting. Most of us thought it was pretty good. At the very least, it was filling. Following lunch, we spent a good 1.5 hours on a guided wander through a massive, forrested cemetary that dates back hundreds (thousands?) of years...lots of traditional statues, tombs, shrines, and temples along the way. It was beautiful in its own haunting, mysterious way. After that, it was another 1.5 hour bus ride back to school and then back home with the host families.

The weather here is starting to go sour. Actually, a typhoon is supposed to hit this weekend. Not to worry though, I've been told repeatedly that all we can expect here in Naga is some heavy rain and maybe a little wind. It should be a bit of an adventure...

Another Day, Another Good One

Wednesday has passed here in lovely Naga, Japan and with it, another eventful day at the high school. For me personally, today was a long one--a few bumps along the way--but in the end, definitely a good one. I'm exhausted and ready for an eventful night of some Japanese baseball and more snoring by my host (we've already made our daily trip to the hardware store...literally, we went to get keys made...that's 4 trips since I've been here. Today though, the students were certainly busy. The day started with everyone visiting some English classes, then a quick Japanese lesson, and finally lunch. Following a quick meal (which is usually packed nicely for each student by their host parents), our afternoon was filled with a few hours testing our skills at traditional hand-painted calligraphy...I for one, was pretty pitiful at it. After the end of the school day, our class was invited to attend a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. We sat for about an hour on our knees (unbelievably painful), ate things we weren't quite sure about, drank some grass-like frothy tea, and did our best to follow the strict customs of the ceremony. We were even joined by the principal of Naga high...definitely a big honor.

Tomorrow, we are off on a field trip to Mt. Koya, a shrine/temple about 2 hours away in the mountains...should be interesting

Hundreds of Screaming Kids

Day 2 here at Naga High School was definitely a success. Most of the day was actually spent at the local elementary school. It was a complete, out-of-control mob of cuteness. Following a quick "welcome assembly," where each class performed for us (and our kids...yes, yours again...did an impromptu version of the Star Spangled Banner),we were divided into small groups and were "adopted" by a classroom for the afternoon. Once there, it was complete chaos. Every kid wanted a picture, everyone was mobbing around us, everyone wanted to hold our hands, everyone wanted our autographs...Now I know what it must feel like to be famous (at least among 6 year olds). The day was great. These little kids were amazing. Recess and lunch consisted of even more chaos. Nobody wanted to leave. We had to check Lindsey's bag and make sure she didn't steal one to take home with her.

Everything's going great!

I Wanna Dance with Somebody

As many of you parents know, Mt. Si was required to do some kind of "performance" at Naga High School's "welcoming assembly" today. And, as I'm sure you also know, most students had been dreading this part of the trip. Well, good news to report! Everyone should be pleased to know that it　all went off without a hitch. Believe it or not、your students　(yes...yours)、 got up in front of over 1,200 complete strangers and danced their hearts out for them. Quite possibly one of the funniest things I have ever seen. I think the attached picture gets the point across quite well...not everyone in the world is willing to make utter fools of themselves like our fine Mt. Si (and Stanwood) students did today. You should all be proud.

Wish you could have been there...

First Day at Naga High

Well, it looks like everyone has survived their first weekend with their host families. We all met up at Naga High School today and everything is going great. There is not a single student who says they are not enjoying themselves...It seems like some even got to go to Universal Studios yesterday (I, on the other hand, only got to go to the hardware store). The high school itself is quite different from Mt. Si or any other American High School. In fact, it's pretty run-down. Lot's of concrete buildings, sterile classrooms, and dirt playing fields. When we first rolled in, someone thought it looked more like a prison than an actual high school. Nonetheless, and despite of the school's bleak appearance, the hospitality we have been shown is fantastic. After a meeting with the principal and a quick orientation, we toook a tour of the entire school. Now, we are currently being led around the small town of Naga. We've made stops at the post office, the bank, the dollar store, and now we are in some kind of department store...almost like a Japanese Fred Meyer. I'm actually writing from the computer section of the 3rd floor...the kids are running around looking at all of the crazy electronics and household products we don't have in the States...kinda funny.

More to come...

Pictures! Pictures! Pictures! Pictures!

Well folks, it's just a lazy Sunday here in Naga. My host is snoring loudly on the sofa (really loud...he kind of sounds like a drowning walrus)and I've finally had a chance to plug the camera in and upload some pictures to the website. The pics below are more-or-less in reverse chronological order (there's a few that are a bit mixed up). Without uploading all 500 pictures that I have personally taken, I've done my best to give everyone a sense of where we have been and what've we seen. Looking at it all though, I realize that there's just no possible way we can capture it all on this website--there's simply too much to list, too much to describe. So, what we have posted below will have to do for now. I know a few of the students have internet access at their host family homes and I am sure everyone would love to hear from eachother. Today is everyone's first day on their own and I am definitely curious to see how it goes...

Enjoy the pictures!

Host Families

As I described yesterday, the welcome cermony at Naga was strange at best. While I have pictures of everyone meeting their families for the first time. The picture here of Jordan is definitely my favorite. Be sure to click on the picture and zoom in for a closer view of Jordan's ear-to-ear embarassment.

Karaoke

Although not everyone went, everyone who had enough guts to try out Japanese-style karaoke completely loved it. Each group gets their own little room and complete choice in what songs they want to sing. About 5 of us (including Hatsumi, our guide)were up to the challenge and spent a good hour completely butchering some American classics. The pic to the right is of Madison and Quinn digging deep and belting out a stirring rendition of Billy Joel's Piano Man.

Himeji Castle

Lindsey, Madison, and Jessica doing their best Charlie's Angels pose in front of the Himeji Castle. The castle itself is a maze of stairs and huge wood beams. At the very top tower there is a small shrine, perfect breezes, and great views of the surrounding city.

Peace

Throughout Hiroshima's memorial gardens and park, school children leave traditional strings of 1,000 paper cranes to promote peace and the end of nuclear weapons. Each day, hundreds of thousands of cranes are left at the various memorial sites.

Hirsoshima

As I posted before, Hirsoshima was definitely emotional. We spent the day at the memorial sites, trying to wrap our heads around the destruction and loss the city once endured. The picture to the right is the "Atomic Dome," a former government/millitary office. When the bomb was dropped, it was detonated directly above this building...somehow (they say because of the physics of the explosion), the building survived the blast, its "dome" still intact. For years it stood as a crumbling and dangerous reminder of the attack until locals turned it into a memorial site. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is at the entrance to the memorial park in the center of Hiroshima.

One more from Miyajima

Jordan and I both love this photo. It was taken at Miyajima at night during low tide. Usually, the gate in the background "floats" about 300 yards offshore. At night, when the tide is out, you can walk right up to it. By using a tripod and long exposure, I was able to capture Jordan walking up to it. With any of these pictures, you click on the them for a larger view.

Dinner!

This was probably one of the best meals that we've had. A large group of us were wandering around the island of Miyajima, desperately looking for some food. Since the island is pretty much a weekend-only tourist attraction, everything was closed given that it was mid-week. When we were about to give up and settle for a dinner from the vending machines, a man in front of a fancy-hotel waved us in and led us to a back-room bar that also served food (don't worry, no one has had a drop of anything they shouldn't be drinking). With the exception to 3 drunk locals...who took a very big liking to Jordan...we were the only ones in the place. We dined on udon, chicken yakotori, and some kind of "round meat" that Quinn refused to eat. The cooks, who were directly in front of the counter we were at, made fun of us the entire time. It was definitely one of those moments I'll never forget.

Another Great Shot

Sam and Breanna in one of those rare moments where they will actually smile and pose for a picture!

At Miyajima

I absolutely love this picture. It reminds me of that famous painting where the couple is dancing outside and the butler is holding the umbrella over them (not sure who it's by...not sure if anyone even knows what I am talking about)...

Shopping!

When we get back, all parents need to give their students a big ol' pat on the back. There have been lots of opportunities for shopping, but most of us (with the exception to Jordan...who is obsessed with Japanese vending machines) are willing to pass up the excitement of a mall and have been eager to let Hatsumi lead us on our next adventure. There have been a few instances where Mt. Si opted to go see the sights and Stanwood chose to spend their time cruising the mall...not to brag...but, you know...I'm proud of them for being able to look past the touristy trinkets we keep running into. This picture is from one of those few moments where we actually did take in the mall and dipped into our wallets.

Hatsumi!

A group photo with Hatsumi, our amazing guide. Without her, we would be completely lost and wandering aimlessly through the streets of Japan. She translates, she guides, she explains, she walks at an amazing speed, and is quick to make fun of our foolish American ways. Lindsey has affectionately dubbed her "Hatsumi the Hottie." She will meet us in Osaka and help us get to the airport and on the right plane.