It's 5:30pm on the last day of 2008. What a year! I always get slightly sentimental on New Year's eve, thinking of everything that happened in the prior year, and saying goodbye to the year's digits, haha. Also, we were recalling that exactly one year from today we shared our first ever kiss. I remember it well because we shared the moment earlier in the day and I was a bit apprehensive about whether or not we would in front of our friends at the party later that evening when the ball dropped. We didn't, and I was relieved. :-) Now, we've been married six months, and have been here in Japan for nearly that long. It's gone by so quickly! Part of me still feels like I'm in a dream that I'll wake up from any time and my life will go back to the way it was at the beginning of the year.
Tonight, Jeremy and I are playing some games - Agricola and Scrabble so far (I won both) - with Galaxy Trucker and Red November to follow (*edit* he won both of those!). I neglected to call friends about getting together this evening... there comes a point where I feel embarrassed to call them because it's been so long since I have. :-p I need to get better at that. Maybe, that'll be my New Year's Resolution, haha. We need to take advantage of the national holiday the next three days though, and get some people together for gaming. We don't know what kind of outrageous fun we'll find on TV tonight, but we'll keep our eyes peeled. Perhaps tomorrow, we'll get up early to see the sunrise - I hear it's a common tradition here. And later in the day, we'll be online to wish you all a wonderful new year. Hear from you then! ;-)
*edit again* We didn't see the sunrise. We DID, however, get up at 6am to check the weather to see if it would be worth getting up for it - it was raining, or snowing... or a mix... not sure which, so we just went back to bed, haha. Maybe next year we will see the first sunrise of the year. :-) After the games, we spent the rest of the time watching a New Year special on TV with all kinds of famous Japanese music stars, a big mix of genres and styles, and at the end they did a flash back to all the performances and announced a 'winner' - I think. We were amazed at how many of the songs we recognized!! It was kind of neat to put faces to the voices we hear on the radio. The program finished exactly 15 minutes before midnight and the cameras cut over to a shrine with a priest ringing a giant bell (they ring it 108 times for good luck in the new year or something like that). It was like just like that for the remaining minutes of 2008 and at midnight there was a 0:00 in the corner of the screen. No singing, no whistles, no music, nothing. It was VERY different from NY's Time Square event I've watched every year since I can remember! We went to bed shortly after, and woke up to some snow this morning. Happy new year!!
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/12/31/new.year.photos/index.html
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Christmas Vacation - Hiroshima
What a nice present to have THREE packages waiting for us at the post office when we returned yesterday! We picked them up today, and enjoyed opening all the gifts. THANK YOU!!! It's really special to have such a generous, wonderful family. Jesse is amazing and we can't thank him enough for his thoughtfulness too!! Jeremy and I really enjoyed watching the video and it even brought tears to his eyes at one point (#14, I think?). We are really blessed by all of you!
Here are some pictures from our vacation (part 1 of 4 new posts):
We arrived in Hiroshima on the 23rd (a national holiday: the emperor's birthday), and stayed through yesterday, the 27th. We had a very memorable time and would definitely love to visit the city again sometime. :-)
After shopping a bit with our friends Carla and Jane, we went to a concert at a Catholic church/school. They did Handel's The Messiah, which was excellent (even though the warmth inside the building made many of us sleepy, lol)..
Later that night, walking back to our hotel, we saw these fun light displays along Peace Blvd.
The next day, we spent walking around the city taking in some sights, like the Peace Memorial Museum and park, the A-bomb dome, and some book stores. From the walkway alongside the park you can see our hotel in the background: Hotel Sunroute on the right side) and a fun-named hotel: Hotel High up. :-)
The Peace Memorial Museum was very good; it was shocking and thorough, and left no detail spared. I'm not even sure how to describe it.
Here is a picture of a model of the city of Hiroshima before the bomb and a picture after (the T-shaped bridge was the target, but it was missed by a few blocks):
It's amazing to think of how quickly and beautifully the city was rebuilt.
This is the "A-bomb dome", a building left completely as-is from the disaster.
Santa with his horse and carriage. They were giving rides around the city.
On Christmas Day we went to the Hiroshima Castle (rebuilt in the 50s) and enjoyed looking at their museum of ornate samurai helmets, swords, and other castle/city artifacts left from the original building.
The top floor had an observatory (though there were bars all around it), it still had a nice view of the city, so I took a video of what we saw.
Pictures in Shukkeien Garden, a nicely designed Japanese garden in the middle of the city.
Our first Christmas cake! Here, the popular thing to do on Christmas Day is eat a piece of beautiful (expensive) cake and fried chicken. We got our chicken at a local fast food restaurant and our cake from a convenience store - but shhh!
It was sure tasty though!!
Hope you had a Merry Christmas!
Here are some pictures from our vacation (part 1 of 4 new posts):
We arrived in Hiroshima on the 23rd (a national holiday: the emperor's birthday), and stayed through yesterday, the 27th. We had a very memorable time and would definitely love to visit the city again sometime. :-)
After shopping a bit with our friends Carla and Jane, we went to a concert at a Catholic church/school. They did Handel's The Messiah, which was excellent (even though the warmth inside the building made many of us sleepy, lol)..
Later that night, walking back to our hotel, we saw these fun light displays along Peace Blvd.
The next day, we spent walking around the city taking in some sights, like the Peace Memorial Museum and park, the A-bomb dome, and some book stores. From the walkway alongside the park you can see our hotel in the background: Hotel Sunroute on the right side) and a fun-named hotel: Hotel High up. :-)
The Peace Memorial Museum was very good; it was shocking and thorough, and left no detail spared. I'm not even sure how to describe it.
Here is a picture of a model of the city of Hiroshima before the bomb and a picture after (the T-shaped bridge was the target, but it was missed by a few blocks):
It's amazing to think of how quickly and beautifully the city was rebuilt.
This is the "A-bomb dome", a building left completely as-is from the disaster.
Santa with his horse and carriage. They were giving rides around the city.
On Christmas Day we went to the Hiroshima Castle (rebuilt in the 50s) and enjoyed looking at their museum of ornate samurai helmets, swords, and other castle/city artifacts left from the original building.
The top floor had an observatory (though there were bars all around it), it still had a nice view of the city, so I took a video of what we saw.
Pictures in Shukkeien Garden, a nicely designed Japanese garden in the middle of the city.
Our first Christmas cake! Here, the popular thing to do on Christmas Day is eat a piece of beautiful (expensive) cake and fried chicken. We got our chicken at a local fast food restaurant and our cake from a convenience store - but shhh!
It was sure tasty though!!
Hope you had a Merry Christmas!
Last day: Miyajima
On our last full day in Hiroshima, we went to the popular Miyajima Island, designated one of Japan's 3 most beautiful places (or something like that). It was also our first time riding one of the city's streetcars and ferries. We had a LONG day of walking and hiking and were sure sore the next day, but it was well worth it. :-)
Miyajima - Home of the World's Largest Rice Scoop
Us and the famous torii rising above the sea.
There are deer all over the island, and they're so used to the tourists, they make themselves at home in town - even occasionally walking in on some group pictures. Just think of it as a bonus.
The Itsukushima "floating" (only during high tide) shrine.
Ready... set... 10 if you walk, 7 if you run a little, and 20 if you get lost like we did. :-p
While on the wrong path, we encountered a group of resting deer.
On the ropeway, looking down towards the station and across the sea to a nearby city.
A video we took at the top of the ropeway on Mt. Misen near the monkey park (we only saw one money near the bathrooms, though).
Some interesting wood and coins thrown on it stuck in the grooves.
The 5-story pagoda (colored the same to match the shrine and torii).
When the tide is low, you can walk out to the torii (gate of the gods).
The Hello Kitty store - everything!
The beautiful sunset we saw leaving the island on the ferry.
Back in Hiroshima, we stopped by the Righa Royal Hotel for their annual light display (we got there at the tail end of it, seeing only three displays - they changed every five minutes - but it was still pretty neat to watch. They used lights in guest rooms to display different pictures outside. We saw a bell, Santa Claus face, and something else, we're not entirely sure what (maybe a Japanese cartoon).
Miyajima - Home of the World's Largest Rice Scoop
Us and the famous torii rising above the sea.
There are deer all over the island, and they're so used to the tourists, they make themselves at home in town - even occasionally walking in on some group pictures. Just think of it as a bonus.
The Itsukushima "floating" (only during high tide) shrine.
Ready... set... 10 if you walk, 7 if you run a little, and 20 if you get lost like we did. :-p
While on the wrong path, we encountered a group of resting deer.
On the ropeway, looking down towards the station and across the sea to a nearby city.
A video we took at the top of the ropeway on Mt. Misen near the monkey park (we only saw one money near the bathrooms, though).
Some interesting wood and coins thrown on it stuck in the grooves.
The 5-story pagoda (colored the same to match the shrine and torii).
When the tide is low, you can walk out to the torii (gate of the gods).
The Hello Kitty store - everything!
The beautiful sunset we saw leaving the island on the ferry.
Back in Hiroshima, we stopped by the Righa Royal Hotel for their annual light display (we got there at the tail end of it, seeing only three displays - they changed every five minutes - but it was still pretty neat to watch. They used lights in guest rooms to display different pictures outside. We saw a bell, Santa Claus face, and something else, we're not entirely sure what (maybe a Japanese cartoon).
Miscellaneous pictures from Hiroshima
Eh? Another Starbucks? No... Starbucks was a few more stores down. :-p
Apparently, you can order this giant okinomiyaki at a restaurant in Itsukushima on Miyajima Island (regular size on the lower shelf).
An instructional illustration on how to properly use a Japanese toliet.
We thought this was such an ingenious invention - a portion of the bathroom mirror that doesn't steam up while you take a shower!
Some Engrish at the entrance of the Hiroshima Castle.
The tiniest bicycle we've ever seen (thus far).
No smorking... in bed.
A giant mechanical crab on the side of a building.
Apparently, you can order this giant okinomiyaki at a restaurant in Itsukushima on Miyajima Island (regular size on the lower shelf).
An instructional illustration on how to properly use a Japanese toliet.
We thought this was such an ingenious invention - a portion of the bathroom mirror that doesn't steam up while you take a shower!
Some Engrish at the entrance of the Hiroshima Castle.
The tiniest bicycle we've ever seen (thus far).
No smorking... in bed.
A giant mechanical crab on the side of a building.
Christmas lights in Hagi
When we went to the official 'lighting up' of Hagi, the mayor was supposed to be the one to do the countdown, but he was late so the crowds had to wait for him - we think this is him in the picture, haha.
A wire and light sculpture of a Japanese castle.
We heard some school choirs and saw some dance groups perform there too, next to them were two Christmas trees made of plastic bottles with lights underneath, they were pretty neat.
A view down the arcade (shopping street) in town.
A big pooh on a chair.
A wire and light sculpture of a Japanese castle.
We heard some school choirs and saw some dance groups perform there too, next to them were two Christmas trees made of plastic bottles with lights underneath, they were pretty neat.
A view down the arcade (shopping street) in town.
A big pooh on a chair.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Merry Christmas!!
This is just an early holiday blessing for you all since we'll be gone over Christmas. We pray you all have a safe, happy, wonderful time with your loved ones, and enjoy celebrating Christmas together. May you have good family times, grow in your relationships together, and with the Lord. Remember Him this season. :-)
Pictures to come next weekend!!
Pictures to come next weekend!!
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Home
We're missing so much back home! Arrrgh!! Two years is a long time. We knew we'd miss a lot, but DANG. :-(
Babies, weddings, more babies, more weddings... and the list keeps growing! Sigh.
Things will be so different when we return. Will we recognize you? Will you recognize us?
Maybe I should create a countdown ticker for July 2010. :-p
---
Even so, what will happen at that time? The uncertainty of the future is often overwhelming. I can't let it get to me though... I know God will come through for us as He always has.
Babies, weddings, more babies, more weddings... and the list keeps growing! Sigh.
Things will be so different when we return. Will we recognize you? Will you recognize us?
Maybe I should create a countdown ticker for July 2010. :-p
---
Even so, what will happen at that time? The uncertainty of the future is often overwhelming. I can't let it get to me though... I know God will come through for us as He always has.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Christmas Party Weekend!
The Bell English School/Genius Kids Christmas Party, December 7th, 2008.
The first guests making ornaments from construction paper:
Some of the finished product:
The "balloon game" Jeremy found and thought would be fun to play - and it was! Some of the kids were too good at keeping their balloons away from those trying to stomp on them, so Jeremy was sent in 'help them out'. ;-)
Here's a short video of the fun with a glimpse of Jeremy:
Playing "pin-the-nose on Rudolf" (I think I should have drawn the noses a bit smaller on them)!
We didn't have time for the third game, but there was a snack time after the games, and this is what the yummy table looked like, assuming it was yummy as we weren't able to partake in ANY of it:
Guess who was Santa Claus!
Guess who had a gigantic hole in his pants!
I thought it was funny Jeremy and I both blinked at the exact same moment.
The Bell School staff picture (I had to clarify as it wasn't ONLY the Bell School staff who was there - Genius Kids (a juku) share our classrooms and is owned by the same person, our boss, Nakashima-san).
I guess the party yesterday brought out the holiday spirit in Jeremy, as he brought down the tree and we decorated it this afternoon and put Grandpa Leibbrand's gifts under it. :-)
The first guests making ornaments from construction paper:
Some of the finished product:
The "balloon game" Jeremy found and thought would be fun to play - and it was! Some of the kids were too good at keeping their balloons away from those trying to stomp on them, so Jeremy was sent in 'help them out'. ;-)
Here's a short video of the fun with a glimpse of Jeremy:
Playing "pin-the-nose on Rudolf" (I think I should have drawn the noses a bit smaller on them)!
We didn't have time for the third game, but there was a snack time after the games, and this is what the yummy table looked like, assuming it was yummy as we weren't able to partake in ANY of it:
Guess who was Santa Claus!
Guess who had a gigantic hole in his pants!
I thought it was funny Jeremy and I both blinked at the exact same moment.
The Bell School staff picture (I had to clarify as it wasn't ONLY the Bell School staff who was there - Genius Kids (a juku) share our classrooms and is owned by the same person, our boss, Nakashima-san).
I guess the party yesterday brought out the holiday spirit in Jeremy, as he brought down the tree and we decorated it this afternoon and put Grandpa Leibbrand's gifts under it. :-)
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