Texas Yankee in Japan

Moving Doors

2010-09-16T11:46:00.003+09:00

I've had a very busy last couple of days! I've started school again this week. It's been a gradual start this week....I've been taking on more and more every day. I've started to train myself to be up at 6 every morning, and get a good start on the day. My morning system from last year is just a little bit thrown off because of the crutches, but I've been working on it.

I had my re-evaluation appointment for my ankle yesterday......it turned into a very long day with lots more appointments scheduled but I still don't have the answers I wanted....like, "WHAT'S WRONG WITH MY ANKLE???" The doc said I needed to stay on crutches for another 3 weeks, and then we'll have it x-rayed again. And I'm set to start physical therapy in October.

We had it x-rayed yesterday, but they said they couldn't see anything on the x-ray....but the one i had 2 weeks ago showed SOMETHING. He said it could be a subtle fracture....or some other big scientific word, but I think it is basically a really bad bone bruise (that could require surgery if it doesn't heal right) or it could be a bone bruise that is healing right and won't require surgery....I don't understand it all. But I'm looking at crutches for another 3-9 weeks.

But what I do understand is that I'm out of football for the season :( I went and talked to coach after the appointments and let him know. I'm not real happy about it....but life goes on. One door closes, lots more open. I just need to keep moving and not get stuck in the closing doors....if that makes any sense.

Never Forget

2010-09-11T20:57:00.005+09:00

It gets me choked up when I stop and read the stories of the heroes who died in the 9/11 attacks. But it also gives me hope. Because it didn't matter if someone was a Christian or a Muslim, a Republican or Democrat on 9/12....we were all Americans. It's sad to me that it takes something as terrible as 9/11 for us all to remember that. There is something more to us than our differences. There is a hero inside of every American that unties us all in the face of danger.

We can never forget the fallen of 9/11, or those who continue to fall in the War on Terror. We're all Americans.

The Good Samaritan strikes again and again

2010-09-09T19:17:00.002+09:00

It's a Thursday night (Japanese lessons night) and so mom is at the house with lessons till around 7-7:15. Practice end at 6. So i went over to the Mokuteki to get some dinner. It is next to impossible to carry anything in my hands when I'm trying to walk on the crutches. So i leaned the crutches against the wall and limped around getting what i needed. One of the employees, on seeing me getting up to get my food, said, "I'm sick and tired of watching you limp all over the place. Give me your receipt and go sit down." Probably the best service I'm ever gotten there!

And then when i was done eating, I was trying to throw my tray away (i'd grabbed my crutches this time) And then a elderly lady jumped up and took my tray from me and threw it away.

I then head over to the library to blow an hour. The Japanese libarian was like, "if you ever need anything, just let me know." And then we talked a bit about my injury etc. I'm so touched by how helpful most everyone is. The Good Samaritan struck again and again tonight....then again....that guy didn't help me when i got stuck in the door.....hhhmmm

2010-09-08T20:28:00.000+09:00

Ever feel this way? lol

A Tale of Two Trips to the UCC

2010-09-08T20:15:00.006+09:00

Last Monday at football practice, we were doing tackling drills. I was doing pretty good, I"d broken every tackle that day and was feeling good. But in the one tackle that i went down. I dont even know how to describe how it happened....but something bad happened to my ankle. That was game week against our rival for the championship and so I was determined to work through it.

I wasn't able to practice Tuesday, and Wednsay (my foot was still swollen) I was still limping. I wrapped my ankle and tried to practice. On Thursday morning my foot hurt worse than it did on Tuesday and Wednsay and was still swollen. So Mom and I went to the UCC. I'd torn my ligaments and the docs x-rayed my ankle and couldn't tell whether it a bruised bone or a broken bone......soooooo their remedy was to be on crutches for two weeks and then come in and get it x-rayed again and then they should be able to tell if it's broken or bruised.

This is soooo frustrating to me!! I was building up momentum again from my last football injury and now I'm on the bench for at least two weeks, or if it's a break then my season is done. In my complete and unbiased opinion.....this sucks. But at least we don't have a game for a couple of weeks and so I should be able to play in the next game.

It kinda looks like my leg was cut off....it wasn't! lol

2010-09-08T14:24:00.003+09:00

*Sigh* I'm on the injured list again. I got hurt at practice last week.....short and sweet of it: I"m on crutches now. I'm waiting to find out if it is a broken bone, or a badly bruised bone.

In other news! lol We're getting ready to start school again! Human videos is getting ready to start. A friend is taking it over for me while I do football. I'm excited to see where this goes. I need to run and finish getting ready for practice! I'll update more about life later tonight (hopefully)

Football Mania

2010-08-27T10:38:00.005+09:00

These last couple of weeks have been craazy! 2 a days with football is done....that was murder! This last week has been a bit saner with football, we only practiced 3.5 hours a day! lol

This is my first year to play football. Coach came and talked to me the other day and said, "You can either get little playing time on Varsity, or I can put you on JV and you'd get a LOT of playing time." Hmmmm....no playing......or lots of playing time. I'm on JV now. I'm having a lot of fun. There's not nearly as much glory or hype on JV, but the guys there aren't nearly as arrogant as the Varsity guys are and I'm learning the game and actually playing it. lol

I'm starting wide receiver. I was worried about learning the plays in time for the game (in about 6 hours) but I think I've got them all down. It really is pretty easy once you get the hang of it. I think my only problem right now is catching the ball, but I'm getting better at it.

There's a really fast update....sorry I haven't updated lately. I'm trying! I've got to run and get some school done before I need to get ready for the game.....I've got a good feeling about it.

ER

2010-08-12T15:05:00.004+09:00

It has almost been 2 weeks since I last updated....sorry!! It has been crazy! I don't really remember what I did before this week, but this week football practice started.

We're doing 2 a days.....I was having a blast and tearing it up. I love all of the drills and how intense it is. On day two, about 30 minutes before we were done for the day, I got hurt though. We were running a play and I was playing defensive end. I saw a gap in their line and so I shot through it. Their QB jumped in front of me to block me and I slid to the left and collided with their runner back as he tried to make a run for it. We both ended up on the floor....I've heard a lot of conflicting stories from this point on.....some say I was down for about a minute, others said I jumped right up.....all agreed that when I did get up and I went back over to the line of scrimmage and lined up again. lol His face mask smacked me pretty hard in the face and I was bleeding and ended up needing to go to the ER and get stitched up.

so I've been out of football for the last couple of days, just waiting for the cut to scab before I can start doing drills again and then I have to wait till they take the stitches out of my chin till I can start tackling again. Oh well.

Youth Rally-Set Me Free

2010-07-31T09:25:00.003+09:00

Our human video team went and performed at a Youth Rally off base, done at a local church. I love helping out with these Youth Rallies, and they love having us out to perform so it all works out great. There were a lot of changes to this one, in contrast to the one we did at the Edgren Talent Show (placed 3thd). For one, I'm the devil.

Here's the team that performed (6 others were not there last night). I'm the one with the grey jacket, Arielle is far left, and Nolan is directly to my right.

From 2010-07-30VBS_YouthRally

You'll have to watch the video to understand what is going on! lol

From 2010-07-30VBS_YouthRally

Getting ready to fight-the one in white is playing Jesus

From 2010-07-30VBS_YouthRally

There's my little bro!

From 2010-07-30VBS_YouthRally

Back at the house!

From 2010-07-30VBS_YouthRally

It was a lot of fun! A lady from the chapel did the make-up for us. She did a really good job!

VBS-Day 1-2

2010-07-27T20:14:00.005+09:00

We're almost half way through with this years VBS at the chapel. We've got around 250 kids attending, and a lot of volunteers. We've all been really busy.

I am a crew leader for the 3-4th grade boys......needless to say, they keep me on my toes! My crew, Crew #20, and I are all going to be really tight pals by the time this is done. We all have a blast. It kinda makes me think about House of Faith. I shutter to think about how immature I was that first year with dealing with them at HOF. I'm really glad I've had so much experience with dealing with hard kids, cuz I've not lost my cool once or even been close too.

Everyone knows Crew #20 is gathering up when they hear, "Hoorah, hoorah!" shouted everywhere. When I need their attention, or we need to gather up or move somewhere, I call, "hoorah!" and they all answer with "hoorah!" until we're all together. They're awesome guys. And then when we move from station to station, we form a Kongo line and sing. lol

Day 1 Funny:
The theme was God's Word being our compass. One of my crew members looked up to me (and this was after I'd been telling them how important it is to read the Bible cuz it will give you guidance for ANY life problems you may have) and said, "So the bible is our compass?"
Me, "Yep, that's right." He then reached out and randomly opened a pew Bible and started to read. I was suddenly distracted by one of my other crew members and so I looked away for a minute or two. My attention was quickly brought back to him when I heard, "Hey look! It says sex!" I looked down and he was reading something about sexual purity.
Me, "Ahh! Give me that!"
Kid, "But why does it say sex?"
Me, "Well the Bible is about real people and life-"
Kid, "And so it has sex in it????"
Me, "Just put the Bible down, let's sing this song."

Day 2 Funny:
It was at the end of the day, and we were singing the last song before announcements and then dismissal. Well......one of the kids in the crew in front of us decided to put his gum on the pew and one of his friends sat in it. So when we all stood up to sing, the kid suddenly got really freaked out because the gum was stuck to the back of his pants and it was holding him down.
Kid1, "AHHH! somethings got my butt!"
Kid2,"Oh my gosh, what is that????"
Kid3, "haha! it's stuck on his butt!"
Kid1, "Get it off!!"
You'd have to see it to really see the full humor in this. Kid1 was trying to stand up, but the gum wouldn't let him, and so Kid3 reached across and was trying to pull the gum of his butt, while Kid2 adds in sarcastic comments throughout the process. I tried to keep it under control, but all four of us were laughing really hard.

At the Library! (this is more exciting than it sounds)

2010-07-24T14:19:00.003+09:00

I'm sitting here at the library......I just rode my bike up to base. Mom and siblings were at a deployment camp thing, and so I was chilling at the house till I needed to head into base for human video practice. I'm glad I left early, cuz the normal 25 minute bike ride took almost an hour.

Friends had told me to hand the chains (kinda heavy, need them for human videos) off to them last night at the VBS training night. I forgot to, and so I carried them with me. They were very heavy, and cumbersome. I held the bag with chains (I was afraid it would be to heavy and break the straps) with one hand and steered with the other. It was a bit wild, and it started to rain, but I made it! And now I've got about 15 minutes before I need to go and get the practice set up at the gym. I tried to log into my facebook account, but I've completley forgot the password :(

Fishing and Human Videos

2010-07-22T21:11:00.003+09:00

It' has been a craazy week! I'm doing the final drive for a couple of my school subjects! Whew.....I'm tired!

I finally made it and got up early so I could go fishing. I didn't catch anything, but I did get a bite this time! haha I know there are fish in there, cuz there was this monster fish swimming within a few feet of the shore.....which is when my harpoon idea came to mind. If the fish are going to cheat and not bite my hook, then I'll cheat right back at 'em! I'm now in the process of creating a harpoon.....any design ideas? I'm thinking a barbed tip so that I can pull the fish in, and not just impale it! lol

It has been really hot these last few days. We've gone to the beach every day this week. The water is cold, but that can be pretty refreshing! Mom bought some water mattresses (ever tried blowing one of those up????) and those are a lot of fun on the waves. I was on one of the mattresses and had been getting rather close to the shore when a big wave rolled over the top of my and crashed me on the beach....and then pulled me back into the ocean.....hmmm note to self: don't float to close to the shore!

I've been busy these last few days with human videos again! Cavalry Baptist Church is having another youth rally and invited us out there again about a month ago for the rally at the end of July. I've been communicating with their people the last couple of weeks: what song we're doing, the message, and then I needed to get them a copy of the script. I wrote the script, so it is a bit messy and I wrote it to read while I worked with the team. Needless to say I spent a bit of time editing the script! I sent that off to them, and now they're translating it into Japanese for the speakers.

A lot of the team (5 out of the original 10) won't be there....one moved, and four others are traveling. I'm sooooo extremely glad that I thought ahead this time and left a couple of the actors to learn all the parts, the "Jacks of all Trades," and so we've got most of the parts covered. I'm having trouble getting the last part covered, and so I think I may just grab my little brother and give him a crash course lesson this Saturday. I know he's not 7th grade or up, but he helped me write out the fighting scenes and we really don't have many other options so last minute.

And then today we decorated for VBS.....more details to come! It is going to be awesome!

School!

2010-07-16T20:45:00.004+09:00

It's been a pretty slow, but somehow busy week! I'm pressing to get done with math by the end of next week, science is giving me some problems and so it is likely it won't be till around August that I'll be done with that :(

I've tried these last few mornings to get up 5; I was planning an excursion to the pond where I'd sit and fish for a couple of hours before the day started.....I attacked the alarm clock the first morning and went back to bed. The second morning it was raining, but I was awake! And then last night I just decided to go to bed and not try....but I woke up at 5:30 on my own. Weird. Maybe I'll try Sunday morning.

I'm going paint balling with the youth group tomorrow! And then after paint balling I'll run over the gym and get cleaned up and join the family. We are going on an ITT tour to see fireworks in Towada. I'm sure pics will follow!

I've been working my way through Crime and Punishment. That is a really good book! It is kinda dark, but I'm finding it very interesting. Yet at the same time, kinda disturbing. I've enjoyed comparing it to other "deep" books I've read this year, and seeing the similar technique that Dostoevsky and Victor Hugo used in their novels.

For the best books that I've read this year, Crime and Punishment ranks in the top three (with Pride and Prejudice and A Tale of Two Cities). All three are really good. Crime and Punishment is by far the most thought provoking though.

Random sightings

2010-07-08T20:07:00.000+09:00

Saw this sign at the Morioka Zoo (a long post will follow :). It really is a good thing they had this sign posted, cuz who knows, I may have started to smork.

From 2010_07_05_zoo

We saw this old Orthadox looking church while lost in Morioka City, which was a bit of a zoo for that matter.

From 2010_07_05_zoo

Wandering Around Japan

2010-07-01T21:20:00.005+09:00

A science experiment needed me to go and collect some leaves from trees in the area. During my search for leaves I found this picturesque Shinto shrine.....I really need to start taking my camera with me, because all I had was my cell phone. So I took pictures with the cell phone and then took pictures of the cell phone's pictures with Mom's camera. That is why they're kinda grainy. lol

From 2010_07_01_museum_games

Last Saturday I went with the youth group up to Aomori Christian center to help clean up the place (Cavalry Baptist sent a group as well). WOW! there was a lot of work to be done! And there was a lot of poison ivy and and poison oak. We did a lot of different stuff...from clearing brush to mowing 6.5 acres of grass with a push mower......it looked sooo funny to see five guys all pushing mowers in a circle on the same plot of grass!

It was a lot of work, but I had a blast! Hopefully pics will follow later!

Human videos is basically done for the summer. We will perform Set Me Free at Cavalry Baptist' youth rally for the Japanese at the end of July, and then we'll be dormant till school starts again. *Deep breath of relief* it has been a lot of work! But the team is awesome, and I'm going to miss it for the summer :(

This and That

2010-07-01T21:20:00.000+09:00

I've been enjoying partial retirement.....I've had a lot of free time lately. Mostly I've been working out and chilling with siblings

From 2010_07_01_museum_games

We ran to the mall to get some dinner the other night (mom was at meetings all day, and we forgot to start the charcoal). It is funny to see Japanese on ToyStory! haha

From 2010-06-23_shimoda

Hey!

2010-06-23T20:07:00.004+09:00

WOW! It's been a while since I've updated! I've been extremely busy, but here is a recap!

I got my drivers permit last week, and drove for the first time on Sunday. I can't really say it was hard getting used to driving on the left side, cuz I've never driven on the right side. lol I didn't run into anything or kill anyone, so I must be a natural ;)

I finished the core of my school work this week! It has been a super long drive, but I'm finally done with the core. I should be done with math and science in a bit, and I've got a couple of weeks left in PowerPoint. I'll be doing piano and Japanese lessons throughout the summer. I'm also finishing up Crime and Punishment, that's a deep book!

A couple of Japanese guys were at the neighborhood basketball hoop on Sunday. I went out and asked to play with them. They agreed (at first they thought I was coming to kick them out of the sub-division). I speak a bit of Japanese and they speak a bit of English, so we were able to communicate a bit. I told them my name, they told me theirs. It was pretty cool. and not that it matters or anything, but I beat the two of them 34-26.

Hmmm....we junked the hiace and bought a friends car, they were moving. Human videos is taking a recess until July, but we've got a very busy month coming up.

Saturday!

2010-06-14T21:03:00.004+09:00

We went geocaching on Saturday. That was the first time that we've tried it without Dad or Cy to work the GPS, but we managed and found two! It took us down to the coast and then back into town.

From 2010-06-12 Saturday_geocache

Zander found it!

From 2010-06-12 Saturday_geocache

After we found the first one we walked around through the woods by Veedol beach...that's not the actual name of the beach but it has Miss Veedol's replica sitting out there therefore it is Veedol beach. lol.

From 2010-06-12 Saturday_geocache

I'm collecting bamboo rods for my own secret plans *evil laugh*

From 2010-06-12 Saturday_geocache

We also found the original runway that Miss Veedol took off of. It was pretty neat. There was a Japanese man out there pulling plants off the side of the path and bagging them up. At first I thought he was weeding, but then I realized he intended on eating those plants. He said it was "oishi," (delicious) mom tried eating one there but didn't really like it.

From 2010-06-12 Saturday_geocache

Haircuts!

2010-06-14T21:03:00.000+09:00

I rode into the base on Saturday to get a haircut....but this time I was armed with a picture of how I wanted it done...oh yeah.

2010-06-12 Saturday_geocache

I walked up and showed the elderly Japanese barber man the picture...he looked at, then at me, then he gazed off into the distance and said firmly, "NO." He tried not to smile, but there was a slight smirk as he cut my hair. And then afterwards he asked to see the picture again and then he went and showed it to another barber who busted out laughing. Ahhhh good times.

Adventures in Japan

2010-06-10T19:52:00.005+09:00

Deep Breath! Mom is back! It was a really long week, but the folks at the chapel really took care of us while she was gone. She got back last night.

The human video team also performed in the high school talent show, we placed 3thd! I'll see about getting some pictures and a video later.

I started working on school again today, and got a lot done. I was feeling tired and so I decided to make an excursion to the ocean. It's a really pretty bike ride! As I got closer to the coast everything started to get really foggy and grainy; it looked really neat as it shifted across the rice fields though.

The beach was pretty foggy, I walked along it for a while and took a couple of pictures and collected some stuff along the beach.

I climbed out onto the wave breakers, and there was a big splash right behind me as I took the picture, and it kinda startled me! That's why I'm looking to the side

From 2010-06-10

It was really relaxing and I felt refreshed and ready to take on life again when I got back. I also found a long bamboo rod in the wave breakers. I asked a Japanese dude out there (he was golfing on the beach.....hmmmm interesting) if it was alright to take it. I'm not entirely sure we completely understood each other but he said to take it. Getting it home was a bit tricky! I felt like a knight...but I'm sure I looked like a clown with that big old rod tucked under my arm! lol

Washington, part VI

2010-06-04T08:01:00.005+09:00

After the war had been won, the Americans were governed by the Articles of Confederation. They discovered that this form of government wasn't working and so they held a convention, the Constitutional Convention. Washington was chosen to be the President of the Convention. Many of the delegates were getting angry with one another and the whole convention was on the point of falling to ruin when Benjamin Franklin stood up and suggested prayer. Everyone agreed they needed to pray, except for one man who rose to oppose it. It is said that "Washington fixed his eyes upon him with an expression of indignation mingled with surprise." [1] It seemed natural to him that they should pray for God's help, after all, "They began with prayer, and ended in victory and thanksgiving." [2] Washington considered prayer of the utmost importance for the individual and the nation.

Washington was concerned about the morals of his army; he wanted chaplains in the military. He wanted his army to stop swearing and hoped that his chaplains and officers would influence the rest of the army not to swear. Even during the heat of war, he made sure Communion was available.

He cared for the poor and supplied many young men with a chance to get an education. He made huge donations to charitable causes. He would go the local baker and tell him that whatever the poor wanted of his bakery that day to give, and he would pick up the bill. One of his life mottoes was, "Deeds, not words," and his deeds prove his sincere heart.

Another proof of his humility, and pure patriot intentions, was when he returned all the power given him by Congress at the outset of the war. This move startled most of the European courts; they expected him to claim absolute power. But he didn't. He resigned, and he intended it to be one of his last public acts, but he had one more to make. "I consider it as indispensible duty to close the last act of my official life, by commending the interest of our dearest country to the protection of Almighty God."[3]

Washington then went back to his long absent Mount Vernon and private life. The transition went fairly well; every now and again he would wake up in the morning and start giving commands for his army and then remember he was home. He was bombarded by letters and visitors, all thanking him for the service had rendered to the young country. He was happy, and planned on living the rest of his days peacefully on Mount Vernon with his wife. But God had other plans for him. In 1789, by unanimous vote, he was elected the first President of the United States. Washington didn't want to return to public life, but another of his mottoes was "for God and my Country," and so he accepted after he realized it was his duty.

He warned that he had no political skill and that, "integrity and firmness are all I can promise; these, be the voyage long or short, shall never forsake me." [4]

What more can we ask of our leaders? His first term provided many difficulties for him, but he steered with a steady hand and a unshakable trust in God. The very first thing he did as President was to pray. "In this first official act, my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being….that His benediction may consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the people of the United States…..No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the invisible hand which conducts the affairs of men, more than the people of the United States."[5]

Washington set the tone for what future presidents should be like. He pursued a fair policy towards the Indians, and said that, "As Americans were more powerful and enlightened than the Indians, they ought to treat them with kindness and liberality." [6]. He also had to establish to the world that America was a sovereign nation. Washington set a moral example for the Americans; he went to church every Sunday, and observed a day of rest. He was punctual to the second and always had a kind word for a passing school child. He was loved by all of the Americans, and easily won a reelection for a second term. When he was at the height of his power, it was suggested to him that he take the title of King, he was disgusted. "Be assured, no occurrence in the course of the war has given me more painful sensations than your existing information of there being such ideas….I must view [it] with abhorrence, and reprehend with severity." [7]

During the second term of his presidency, the French Revolution broke out. America was divided on the issue, some wanted to join the French in the wars it had started with her neighbors, but others wanted to remain neutral. Washington decided it was in the best interest of America to remain neutral. France urged, and threatened America to join them. The British threatened no matter what. He was not shaken. He wanted world peace but knew, "that this could be effected only by the universal influence of the precepts of Jesus. "[8]

At the end of his second term, he decided he was done. He retired to Mount Vernon again where he lived out the rest of his days and died a happy man, 1779. The way he lived his private life is possibly more teachable to us than any public act or legislation that he signed into law. He was humble, trusted God, loved his wife, and loved his country, but more importantly, "he was a Christian."[9]
[1] Life of Washington (Anna C. Reed) p216
[2] Life of Washington (Anna C. Reed) p51
[3] Life of Washington (Anna C. Reed) p205
[4] Life of Washington (Anna C. Reed) p217-218
[5] Life of Washington (Anna C. Reed) p 222-223
[6] Life of Washington (Anna C. Reed) p237
[7] Life of Washington (Anna C. Reed) p269
[8] The Life and Writings of Washington (Jared Sparks) found in the Life of Washington (Anna C. Reed) p270
[9] The Life and Writings of Washington (Jared Sparks) found in the Life of Washington (Anna C. Reed) p273

Bikes and Baby Ponies

2010-06-03T21:48:00.005+09:00

Some friends gave Stacia one of their old bikes. It's a bit big for her, but she took to it really well! But first I needed to check it out! lol

From 2010-06-01

We picked up some training wheels and I tried to put them on. I did pretty good at first, but somehow there was spare parts and then later in the day one of the training wheels was upside down, so I'd say I didn't figure it out completely! lol

From 2010-06-01

An anxious rider!

From 2010-06-01

A new addition to the block! Its name is Sakura (cherry, cuz it was born during the cherry blossom time?). I'm not sure what I call it though...I've been informed that it is wrong to call it a baby pony though.

From 2010-06-01

I rode my bike out to the ocean the other morning. It was really relaxing! I climbed out onto the wave breakers and sat and read for a while.

From 2010-06-01

The rice growing process continues to intrigue us! And yes, those are ducks swimming on the rice paddies! lol

From 2010-06-01

We've had a really busy week! Yesterday, the human video team had a dress rehersal for the talent show, which is tomorrow. This probably will be it till Monday or Tuesday, as we'll be staying with friends for the weekend.

Sunday!

2010-06-03T21:42:00.003+09:00

The weather has really been nice these last several days and so we've been enjoying the sun!

Lunch outside the bowling alley

From 2010-05-30

hmmm...inside the bowling alley!

From 2010-05-30

Arielle said she doesn't understand how I managed to tie the game, but hey, I've got some really good form and stlye!

From 2010-05-30

Just as a side note, I didn't realize that all of the pics were of me till just now, after I've already shut down the pictures etc! lol

From 2010-05-30

Stacia bowling backwards!

From 2010-05-30

Ready for the cool part? All of that was free! This base really does take care of the deployed families pretty well.

Washington, part V

2010-06-02T10:27:00.007+09:00

The American army would split into three divisions. Washington would command one division and cross the Delaware and then split into two groups, and attack Trenton from the west and north. The other two divisions were to cross the Delaware at different points, one was to secure the bridge, and the other was to put pressure on the British in Burlington. The night fixed upon the attack was Christmas night and was bitterly cold. Sleet and snow fell on the poorly clad Americans as they forced their way across the Delaware. They surprised the British garrison at Trenton and took the town easily; taking over a thousand prisoners and all of the military stores there. The other two divisions hadn't been able to cross the river and so Washington decided to re-cross to safety. "Wisdom to plan, and strength to act, were given to him by the mighty God of armies." [1]

The results of the Battle of Trenton were far reaching. First, it reminded the British that the Americans were still fighting. It also lifted the spirits of the American forces, and the following spring saw no problems for finding men to enlist. It also ended that year's campaign on a good note for the Americans.

The winter proved to be extremely hard on the Americans, but they bore their trials with stoic bravery. Washington often marveled at the fact that there weren't any mutinies that winter.
The following spring didn't go well for the Americans. The British chased them all over the colonies. The British captured city after city, steadily forcing the Americans back. The situation looked very bleak for the Americans. It was also very trialing for Washington, who was responsible for so many young lives. His faith in God never wavered though. "My only hope is in God." [2]

During the following winter of 1777, the French, eager to get back at the British for their humiliating defeat in the French and Indian War, joined the Americans against Great Britain. Washington was overjoyed, he knew they needed help. "By order of Washington, the several brigades assembled, and their chaplains offered up public thanks to Almighty God for His mercies."[3]

The next several campaigns, with the aid of the French, turned the tides for the Americans. There were many setbacks, and defeats, but the Americans were winning now. On October 19th, 1781, the British general Cornwallis surrendered to Washington at Yorktown, thus winning the war for the Americans.

Trials prove the mettle of a man, as we see with Washington. Throughout the entire war he never doubted God. Washington looked at the events of the war and plainly saw God's involvement. "The hand of Providence is so conspicuous in all of this, that he must be worse than an infidel that lacks faith, and more than wicked, that has not gratitude to acknowledge his obligations."[4] So said the Father of our Country. He didn't claim honor for the victories of the American army, he was a humble leader.

There were some instances in the war, when the more glorious option was not the wisest route. He always went with the wise options. At one point, all were urging him to make an instant attack on Philadelphia. He decided not to attack after sizing up the conditions of both armies. "His steady mind was not dazzled by the idea of the praise he should gain by success, and he persevered in resisting public clamor." [5]

Washington had an explosive temper, but he worked to control it, because he respected the Bible, ("Be ye angry, and sin not.") but also because, "he knew he could not command others so as to have their respect, if by the indulgence of passion he proved that he could not command himself."[6] He learned to control his temper, we know this because the army, and the Americans, all looked up to and respected him. One militia officer said this of Washington, "I shall never forget what I felt when I saw him brave all of the dangers of the field, his important life hanging as it were by a single hair, with a thousand deaths flying around him. I thought not of myself. He is surely Heaven's peculiar care." [7] Years later, as President of the United States, he was greeted on the street by the children as, "Washington," not "President," and he would always stop and talk to them and give them some kind words. They truly respected and admired him.

Washington always prayed for the victory of his armies and for the guidance of his nation. When both were granted, he thanked God. He made it a daily practice to read the Bible and pray. Robert Lewis, his nephew, several times accidently happened upon Washington during his morning devotions, "on those occasions he had seen him in a kneeling posture, with an open Bible before him," and he, "believed that to be his daily practice." [8] During the long years of the war, he always prayed. One man was walking through the woods when he heard the sound of low talking. He decided to investigate and saw Washington, "engaged in prayer, he quietly passed on, that he might not disturb him, and on returning home, told his family he knew the Americans would succeed, for their leader did not trust in his own strength." [9] Or another time, an officer was going to deliver papers to Washington, but heard voices within the room. He stopped to listen, and quickly realized Washington was praying. "I knew this to be his habit, and therefore retired with the papers in my hand." [10]
[1] Life of Washington (Anna C. Reed) p85
[2] Life of Washington (Anna C. Reed) p91
[3] Life of Washington (Anna C. Reed) p115
[4] Life of Washington (Anna C. Reed) p126
[5] Life of Washington (Anna C. Reed) p105
[6] Life of Washington (Anna C. Reed) p62
[7] Life of Washington (Anna C. Reed) p88
[8] Life of Washington (Anna C. Reed) p272
[9] Life of Washington (Anna C. Reed) p118
[10] Life of Washington (Anna C. Reed) p119

Washington, part IV

2010-05-28T16:53:00.002+09:00

The Americans formed The First Continental Congress to resist the embargo on Boston. All thirteen colonies sent delegates. It was soon apparent that the only way to gain their rights was to claim independence from Britain. They appointed George Washington the Command-in-Chief of the American forces in 1775. July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed by some of the delegates, the vast majority signed later in August. By fixing their signatures to the Declaration they were signing their names in treason, and they all knew it. But they were resolved. "And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor." [1] They put their trust in God and prayed for victory.

The British commander in Boston decided to try and break up the stockpiles of American weapons. He sent his army to seize a stockpile in Lexington. The Minutemen, local militia, rushed to meet the British. The leader of the British expedition ordered the Americans to disperse. They didn't. Someone, maybe British, maybe American, fired a shot and the Battle Lexington and the American Revolution started.

Washington left Mount Vernon to take command of the American army; he doubted his ability to win the war. "I do not think myself equal to the command I am honored with."[2] But it was the wish of his countrymen that he lead them, "and he did so, with an earnest desire not to disappoint their confidence, and an humble trust that he should have the blessing of God." [3]

The task before him was a hard one indeed. The British army was well trained and the soldiers seasoned, plus there was a lot of them. The American army, by contrast, was scantily armed and clothed. In addition to this, soldiers served short enlistment times, meaning the army was constantly changing its features. Washington wrote to Congress about the American army, "these situations are melancholy, but nevertheless true. I hope for better."[4]

The Americans enjoyed brief success at the start; they freed Boston and held their own at the Battle of Bunker Hill. The British controlled the seas and could land soldiers anywhere along the coast, however. One thing Washington had learnt from his time in the French and Indian War was that by avoiding pitched battle, a small band of troops stood a better chance of victory against a larger army.

Washington and the army stationed themselves at Long Island; where they anxiously awaited to be attacked. The British landed a large force on Long Island, trapping the Americans forces on the island. Washington was determined to avoid open battle when the odds were so against them. He also knew that if the American army was killed at Long Island, the hope for freedom would die with them. "The fate of unknown millions will depend, under God, on the courage and conduct of this army. Let us rely on the goodness of our cause, and in the aid of the Supreme Being."[5] He decided to evacuate the army from Long Island.

It was very risky; he would have to load his whole army onto boats and then get them pass the British warships to the Continent. As night approached they realized that, "a kind of Providence favored the Americans with a night so dark, and a morning so foggy, that though their enemies were within a hundred yards of them, they did not know the movement they were making until they were beyond the reach of their guns."[6] Washington was in the last boat to leave. There are many examples of God intervening for the Americans throughout the War. Rivers would suddenly flood as soon as the Americans passed over, stopping the British. Or storms would throw the British fleet off course and damage them. "For they never would have succeeded in defending their rights, unless the mighty hand of God had upheld and guided them."[7]

The British pursued Washington, who kept retreating. One officer, getting discouraged with always falling back, asked Washington how far they would run. He replied, "To Virginia, and if followed there, over the Alleghany Mountains, and try what we can do there." [8] The rest of the year went the same until winter. The British decided to winter at Princeton, New Jersey, and were warm and comfortable. The Americans sat out in the cold ; their suffering was great. Most of them didn't have shoes, and none of them had winter clothing; in addition, they didn't have much food. Morale was low, and so was reenlistments. Washington was concerned that there wouldn't be any enlistments in the spring. And so he formed a daring plan.
[1] Declaration of Independence
[2] Life of Washington (Anna C. Reed) p60
[3] Life of Washington (Anna C. Reed) p61
[4] Life of Washington (Anna C. Reed) p74
[5] Life of Washington (Anna C. Reed) p74
[6] Life of Washington (Anna C. Reed) p75
[7] Life of Washington (Anna C. Reed) p50-51
[8] Life of Washington (Anna C. Reed) p81

Washington, part III

2010-05-27T16:25:00.003+09:00

Sadly for the British soldiers, their general wouldn’t listen to Washington, who knew how the French and Indians fought in the woods. He suggested to Braddock that he and his Virginians comb the forest before the British tried to cross a river. Braddock was offended and ordered his men to cross the river. The French and Indians attacked suddenly; the ambush was devastating. "In vain did their commander, and the undaunted Washington, endeavor to restore them to order and prevent their flight." [1]

The massacre of the British was terrible, "The slaughter at the Monongahela River continued for two hours. By then, 1,000 of the 1, 459 of the British soldiers were killed or wounded, while only 30 of the French and Indian Warriors firing at them were injured."[2]

The British were easy targets, especially their officers who rode on horses to distinguish their rank. "One by one, the chief's marksmen shot the mounted British officers until only one remained." [3] This one officer was Washington. The Indian chief ordered his braves to bring down the last officer. They fired again and again. Twice his horse was shot out from under him, and twice he remounted, four bullets pierced his coat, and several grazed his sword. The Indians were at a loss. "His safety in the midst of such attacks, astonished his savage enemies and they called him 'The Spirit-protected man who would be a chief of nations for he could not die in battle."[4]They then grew afraid as they realized this officer was being protected by someone Supernatural. "The shield of his God protected him."[5] Washington rallied the troops and led the retreat to save the little bit of the army that was left. He was hailed as a hero by the Colonists.

Rumors started to spread that he had been killed in the battle. While writing to his brother to dispel such rumors, he wrote about his miraculous survival, "See the wondrous works of Providence!"[6]

The next British officer who took command after Braddock, he had been killed in the fighting, didn't care much for Washington's advice either. The new general decided to pull the British army out of Virginia and winter them elsewhere, leaving Virginia unprotected. Governor Dinwiddie appointed Washington head of the Virginia militia.

The following winter was a hard one for the Virginians as the French and Indians raided across the border, "whose known rule of warfare is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes, and conditions."[7] It was a terrible and trying time. Washington did his best, but they were hopelessly outnumbered and outgunned.

The British captured Fort Duquesne in 1758, thus securing the Virginia border. The British then went on to completely drive the French from the North American continent. Washington decided to resign again, now that the threat was over.

He married Martha Custis on his return to domestic life. He was happily married to her the rest of his life. He wore a miniature portrait of her around his neck. Through all of his dangers and adventures during the War of Independence, he always kept her close to his heart. When he was general of the Continental Army, she made it her duty to be by him during the winters and suffered along with him and his army from cold and hunger. Their marriage is truly a beautiful example of love, sacrifice, and devotion.

For some time Washington lived quietly at Mount Vernon, but events were taking place in Boston and London that would again call him to service. The British government was imposing severe taxes on the Colonies. The British claimed that it was only right the Colonists help pay for the Seven Years War. The Colonists protested; they had fought the French and Indians bravely and if it hadn't been for them, the British would have lost in the American theatre. The British government replied by imposing stricter regulations on them. The Colonists petitioned the King for relief, but he didn't listen. Instead, he raised the taxes, and started to try and take away their right to vote their own legislators into office, he kept a standing army in the colonies during a time of peace, and he took Americans from America and had them tried in Britain, and he pressed the young sailors into the British navy.

Tensions were rising and almost came to a head when a group of nervous British soldiers fired into an unarmed mob of protestors in Boston, which came to be known as the Boston Massacre. The American Colonists were furious. They stopped trading with Britain to avoid the taxes, which in turn infuriated the British. The British government then tried to tax the tea being shipped to America. Bostonians, dressed as Indians, raided the British ships with the tea and threw it into the harbor in 1773. Britain responded by putting an embargo on Boston and stationed a large body of soldiers there. The Americans started to stockpile weapons and prepared for fighting in 1774.
[1] Life of Washington (Anna C. Reed) p36
[2] Under God (Toby Mac and Michael Tait) p11
[3] Under God (Toby Mac and Michael Tait) p11
[4] Life of Washington (Anna C. Reed) p38
[5] Life of Washington (Anna C. Reed) p38
[6] Life of Washington (Anna C. Reed) p40
[7] Declaration of Independence

Washington, part II

2010-05-26T14:52:00.003+09:00

He rapidly promoted through the ranks of the militia to major, holder of a steady salary. He was very young for such trust to be placed in his hands, being in his late teens to early twenties.

The years that he was living in were dangerous times. Europe was arming itself for yet another conflict. The French and the British both had colonies in North America; both nations wanted to edge the other out. The Americas was a plum for trade and expansion.

The French were trying to connect their Canadian colonies with their Louisianan colonies. By doing this, it would hinder British expansion and put the thirteen colonies into a deadlock . The French could attack the colonies from their entire frontier border. In addition, France had joined Austria, her traditional enemy, along with Russia and Sweden, to bring Frederick the Great of Prussia back to size. Great Britain jumped on board with Prussia, with Spain joining later on the French side. The war in Europe, 1756-1763, was called the Seven Years War; the American colonists called it the French and Indian War. This war covered most of the globe, with fighting raging from Europe to America, from India to Africa. In all reality, this could be coined World War I.

The results this war had on American history is far reaching. At the end, with the British victorious, and the French driven from the North American continent, the Colonists were left emboldened with the fear of French invasion removed. It also gave Washington the experience he would later need while fighting the War of Independence.

The French had constructed a fort, Fort Le Boeuf, on the south of Lake Eerie, in 1753, on territory granted to the Virginian colony by King James. The governor of Virginia sent Washington to the fort to demand that they leave. "It is clear enough that Washington, despite his youth, was considered equal to his diplomatic task." [1]

Washington immediately left for the fort. The journey wasn't easy; winter was approaching. The French didn't care much about the British orders to leave their territory, and cordially refused to leave the land. They said it was part of the Old Dominion, and therefore was French. In addition, they planned to expand further as soon as spring came; Washington was sent away empty handed. The journey home nearly claimed Washington's life a couple of times. In one instance, he was thrown from the raft into an icy river. Yet, he was amazingly able to get back onto the raft, when his companion thought he was lost. "In this dangerous situation, he was saved by the protecting hand of God." [2]

Because he had done his duty so well he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in Virginia's militia. The word Washington brought back raised a flurry of action from the British. Governor Dinwiddie was furious and ordered Washington, in the spring of 1754, to erect a fort on the north side of Lake Eerie and not let the French pass, and if they tried, he gave him orders to fight them.

Washington was dutiful, and thus it was he who ordered the first shots to be fired. A small French force advanced to try and hinder the building of the British fort; Washington marched out and defeated the French. He was promoted to the rank of Colonel for his victory and daring. "I heard the bullets whistling, and believe me, there is something charming to that sound." [3]
A large French force marched on him to avenge the previous skirmish. The militia weren't ready, and the hastily constructed fort, Fort Necessity, was easily captured by the French. Washington was able to negotiate for he, and his soldier, to march home with all of their weapons and supplies but they had to abandon the fort.

During the course of the next few months, the king of England ordered that any British officer would outrank a Colonial officer, regardless of his rank or experience. Washington was offended and resigned. His elder brother had just died and he inherited Mount Vernon. He was busy putting his estates in order when he was invited by General Edward Braddock, the British general sent to capture Fort Duquesne (formerly known as Fort Necessity). The way to the fort was dangerous, and many of the Indians joined the French; Virginians were brought along because they would know the way. Washington agreed and left Mount Vernon to join the campaign.
[1] George Washington (John Alden)
[2] Life of Washington (Anna C. Reed) p30
[3] George Washington (John Alden) p27

Washington, part I

2010-05-25T12:20:00.004+09:00

Here is my biography on George Washington; blogger has messed with the format a bit. I'll try and fix it, but I'm having troubles getting it to work with me. I hope ya enjoy!

The Father of our Country, George Washington, was a remarkable leader. He lead the Continental Army, a ragtag band of rebels, against the disciplined British Army, and won the war. He guided our young nation through the stormy seas of its infancy. He was a brilliant tactician, a fearless soldier, a daring general, a steady handed President, but more importantly, he was a devout Christian. What made him great was his unconditional faith in God.

George Washington was born February 11, 1732, in Westmoreland, Virginia. At the time nobody thought that he would shake the world; he was a Virginian colonist, not a European aristocrat. During that period, Europeans dominated the political theatre and the colonists, living in "exile" in the New World, never played a role on stage.

Washington was brought up well. His older two brothers were sent to school in England, but he was never sent. If he had, who knows how he would have developed. Washington never received much formal schooling. "He acquired none of that classical lore that was driven into boyish heads at Eaton, Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard." [1] That's not to mean that he was a barbarian; Washington was a very civil young man, "he perseveringly tried to improve himself by study, reading and practice." [2]

His father died when he was eleven years old and he inherited Ferry Farm, his father's property along the Potomac River. His mother was very dutiful in raising him, "One of the first lessons which young Washington received from his faithful parents, was; the importance of always speaking the truth." [3] And the fruits of her careful teaching was seen throughout his life. Washington was very respected at school; his word on a subject was always considered to be truthful and would end all arguments.

He applied for a commission in the Royal British Navy when he was fifteen, but out of respect for his mother, who was terrified of the idea, he withdrew his application. "He gave up his own inclinations, to promote her comfort….his filial tenderness was an example to them of compliance with the direction which is given to children in the word of God, 'Let them learn first piety at home, and to requisite their parents'….The act of filial regard which 'requited' the anxious cares of his mother, may be traced his usefulness to his country and the glory of his character." [4] He loved his mother very dearly, and she him; she was also very proud of her son, "I am not surprised at what George has done, for he was always a very good boy." [5] She trusted God to take care of him during his many dangerous adventures.

Washington didn't remain idle, however; so he occupied himself with the surveying of unsettled lands and joined the Virginia militia. A good attitude about life attracts success, as is seen with Washington.
[1] George Washington (John Alden) p4
[2] Life of Washington (Anna C. Reed) p266
[3] Life of Washington (Anna C. Reed) p20
[4] Life of Washington (Anna C. Reed) p24
[5] Life of Washington (Anna C. Reed) p210, Mary, the mother of George

George, sickness, and Homac

2010-05-22T17:31:00.004+09:00

I've been extremely busy this week! I've had a lot of school I've been working on. I'm still editing my biography on George Washington, I'll post it probably when I'm done. I finished up my study of the Civil War. This is really a sad part of our history. It made me sick. I've got a lot of thoughts about the war, and the times, but I'll elaborate on that another time.

There has been this virus running around. It got Mom, Stacia, and Alex, but Arielle, Nolan, and I didn't get it. The three of us partitioned the house and would randomly disinfect the rooms and anywhere where the sick people may have been or thought about going. Several people brought us meals while everyone was sick, which was amazing and really tasty!

I fixed my bike the other day and went for my first bike ride in Japan! That is exciting stuff! I rode my bike down to Homac to buy chain for the human video we are working on. It took me forever to communicate to the Japanese lady what I wanted. I don't know how chain is sold in America, but here it is just one big long chain and you tell an employee how long you want the chain and they cut it for you. That's a really smart system with only one slight defect: you have to speak the language. But it turned out alright and I practically got what I wanted.

That's all the time I have for now, I need to go and start cooking dinner (Mom is at a ladies retreat).

The cheap and the legitmate heroes

2010-05-16T18:30:00.008+09:00

I've been thinking (y'all know that is when it time to be afraid) about people and how people love the concept of the hero dying for everyone else in a story. Think about it. There are hundreds of stories, spanning from the Ancients to the present, where the hero of the story sacrifices himself for everyone else. I forget the Greek dude's name, but Greek mythology is full of examples of the story dying for his friends. Or we've got Brutus for the Romans, he threw himself into a crack in the ground to save Rome. Or when Mr. Carton switched places with Mr. Darnay and dies for him. There are literary examples throughout all of history.

We as humans are fascinated by another person dying to save others. It gets us excited. There's just one problem for all of these guys who heroically die: they're dead. I know of only one, true story, where the hero dies and then rises again. That story can be read in the Bible. Jesus paid the ultimate price, and sacrificed Himself for us. He died for the villains.

And now Hollywood is trying to get in on the action. Think about it: there are lots of movies nowadays where the hero "dies." But the sacrifice in the movies is a cheap sacrifice, because the hero never actually dies. Everyone thinks he's dead, and so they're sad, but then it turns out he didn't really die and so it all turns out well. This seems like a cheap form of sacrifice to me. The most recent movie I've seen, "How to train your dragon," (I loved it, very funny) is a good example. The hero does something brave, but everyone thinks he dies; and so they cry and get really sad. But then he shows up a bit burnt and everyone is happy again.

I'm not entirely sure where I was taking that...but its been something I've been thinking about. Hmmmm....I'll do some more thinking and then come back with a brilliant conclusion.

R2D2 and I

2010-05-13T20:30:00.005+09:00

We bought a charcoal grill the other day. Nolan and I went to work on putting it together yesterday. After it was built, I decided to name it R2D2.

It was my first attempt at grilling while Dad is gone, and my first time ever to use a charcoal grill. It didn't go so well. I sat out on the back porch, in the rain and cold, and couldn't get anything to cook right and we lost 4 hamburgers to the fire......R2D2 and I had a bit of a rocky start to our relationship.

Paintball!!

2010-05-09T20:21:00.000+09:00

I went paintballing this Saturday. It's been over a year since I've played, so I was a bit rusty, but I started to get my groove on near the end of the day.

I shocked everyone out there by showing up in my paintball gear....or lack thereof. Everyone was wearing vests and 20 layers of clothes...and then I show up in cammo pants and a sleeveless muscle shirt. They were like, "are seriously going to go out there like that????" I've got some nice welts!

Without going into very many particulars, the group of guys out there was rough. They also had extremely good guns.....so in a shootout between me and one of them they usually got the better (their 20 rounds to my 1 per second adds up after the first few seconds!). I did bust a move or two....like rushing a guys barricade...and then jumped and slid on my knees while shooting and got him....very cool! lol

After paintballing, Mom and I ran to get some lunch at the BX (I was kind of a mess, covered in paint, dirt, mud, and welts). And thenI went to go mow Ch. B's lawn. After that I ran over to the chapel to load the slides for the service in the morning. I had troubles with the slides and so I wasn't able to load them till the next morning.

Mothers Day was good.

Sakula!

2010-05-06T19:37:00.003+09:00

The cherry blossoms bloomed this week! It was breathtaking! We met a family from the chapel at the Statue of Liberty Park for lunch on Wed.

Under the cherry trees!

From 2010-05-05

It was Children's Day the day we went, and so there were LOTS of folks out having fun. It is strange. I've not seen that many Japanese familes...like father/mother/children in one spot in a long time. And they were all having fun and relaxing, another unusual sight.

From 2010-05-05

We took Dad with us....

From 2010-05-05

Lunch under the cherry blossoms...nothing like it

From 2010-05-05

After lunch, I headed over to Lady Liberty to work on school. It was neat. I sat at the base of the statue. The wind was blowing some of the cherry blossoms off the trees and so I've got blossom pettles in my school book and backpack. I got a lot done, but the Japanese girls blowing bubbles all over the place made me finish early. lol

From 2010-05-05

2010-05-06T19:35:00.000+09:00

Dad and a German dude....Miss you dad!

From 2010-04-30 Afghanistan 3

Sunday!

2010-05-04T15:57:00.003+09:00

The Cherry blossoms are really starting to bloom around town! It is soooo pretty

From 2010-05-02

Ahhhh yes...trying to fix the oven

From 2010-05-02

We went to the train park outside the main gate and there are lanterns hung all over the park for Golden Week. There was also a lot of Japanese having a good time, drinking sake, and playing games. A very rare sight to see the Japanese having fun.

From 2010-05-02

An odd feature about Japanese benches....they have a little light on either arm rest that illuminates the whole bench....I kinda wonder how in the world a homeless guy is suppossed to sleep with that light!

From 2010-05-02

Human Videos!

2010-05-04T15:56:00.002+09:00

We did our human video at the chapel on Sunday. It was a bit wild! We had a few communication problems (it was all my bad) and so our guy playing Jesus didn't know we were going to be performing that morning. We were doing it at the 0800 service, which means it was early. At 8 O'clock he wasn't there. The service started. I gathered the team in the back room and we prayed....and prayed....right in the middle of praying my cell phone started to ring. We all open our eyes and look at my phone (sitting on the floor) and we saw his name in the called ID. He came to the chapel as fast as he could and made it just in time.

They did a good job! We were all a bit nervous, the stage was much smaller than we'd ever practiced with. And we had to have someone else play the other Roman. but it turned out well. I had a lot of people come up to me and say we did a great job.

Here's the video, I hope it works!

From 2010-05-02

Running Around Misawa

2010-05-02T19:49:00.004+09:00

I made a deal with Arielle that if she'd watch the Alamo with me, then I'd watch Pride and Prejudice with her. I've read the book, it's a good book and the movie is pretty good to.

From 2010-05-01

This week has been Golden Week. It's a big holiday around here. The carp that you see blowing in the wind represents the boys...because they have to be strong and determined like the carp. I' not sure if they have included it to be boys and girls...cuz I kinda have trouble beleiving this household has 4 boys.

From 2010-05-01

It is starting to look a lot like spring!

From 2010-05-01

Me trying to jump rope.....i'm actually pretty good at it.

From 2010-05-01

We went to the Statue of Liberty Park.....I love going there. It is so amazing. they had vendors out there, and people were just enjoying the good weather. One vendor gave us some extremely undercooked meat....and exploding soda.....I don't know about them....lol

From 2010-05-01

Tres Amigos

From 2010-05-01

And then we went to the Swan Park and bought some food from the vendors (cooked this time) and then we went to this little garden surrounded by trees and it is very mystical. It is also very refreshing to see how artful and skilled God is in His design.

From 2010-05-01

Photos from the Stans

2010-05-02T19:47:00.002+09:00

Here's some pics Dad took at his place.....Dad, I wanted to use the one with you and that Nato dude...but your name tag was readable, so I didn't use it. Can I use it?

From 2010-04-30 Afghanistan 3

BUSY Monday!

2010-04-27T20:27:00.003+09:00

We had a really busy day. Kicked off another week of school. It was good to do school without having the books running all over the place. I had an awful time of that last week being so drugged.

I tried eating a potato and tore up the skin over my ex-wisdom teeth. I'm not sure how I did that, but it isn't bleeding, so that's good. It made it hard to talk straight though, because I was trying not to move my jaw and disturb it. It's really hard to explain...and sounds retarded to try.

We ran up to the base. I had to pick up a lawn mower from a navy chief. It's one of the chaplains mowers, but I'm going to be taking care of his lawn while he is gone. His mower was being repaired. I went at about 5 in the afternoon...and woke the guy up from a nap. Whoops. He wasn't in a real good mood about it, but how was I to know he sleeps at 5 in the afternoon?? oh well.

From his house we ran to the chapel. Arielle and I set up set up the room for human videos. It went well. We've got the fighting between the guy playing Jesus and the devil figured out and on paper. I think one more practice and we'll have the whole thing mapped out and then we can just work on transition and making it look good. They're a great team and it has been a blast to work with them.

Uma Samurai

2010-04-24T20:37:00.007+09:00

Mom heard that this time of year there is a horse archery festival up in Towada. It sounded cool. My jaw and face is still sore, but I was feeling ready to get out. This was also our first outing into the country without Dad navigating. We got there in good time, so I guess we did alright.

We were hoping to see cherry blossoms....I think. I may have been to out of it to grasp whether that was the goal. But I wanted to see cherry blossoms. The trees are budding, but it is still a bit early.

Towada is a pretty nice town. There's all sorts of things to do, and it is far enough from Misawa that seeing Americans isn't an every day occurrence so people were a bit nicer than usual.

I honestly have no idea what that is.....a huge marshmallow house?

From 2010-04-24

The gang

From 2010-04-24

There was a lane, with cherry trees on either side, that the riders would ride down and shoot targets (3 in all) as they galloped. WOW! It looked really hard. I couldn't help but wonder what would happen if someone fell off their horse....I found out. It looked painful.

A nice Japanese gentleman was there who really liked us. He told us what was happening. He and I talked for a LOOONG time. He would tell me who and where the rider was from (because I can't read the brochures provided). We talked about Kanji and we all agreed writing it is hard. We talked about English....he said a lot of Japanese have trouble writing English, I told him not to worry, most Americans have trouble writing English too. lol He asked me what state I was from...Texas. He got really excited because that is where President Bush is from. He was like, "oh! Bush! Bush!" I wasn't sure what he was talking about at first, but then I understood. "Hai! President Bush!" We talked about Bush for a bit. He said he was a good honest man. AWWW.....I kinda wish I could tell Bush that. That poor man took so much trash off the left during those 8 years.

We talked about a lot of stuff! Rodeos, festivals, colleges, languages, Presidents, states/prefectures. It was really cool.

From 2010-04-24

They had vendors and pony rides...the usual stuff you would expect to find at a Japanese outing. Arielle and I were speculating the price of the pony rides...we laughed and she said, "in America those things are us ally like 5 dollars for going in a circle!" We both laughed. I then asked our Japanese friend how much the ride was, "500 yen." ($5). We found that humorous.

Jr. Archers.....I love the saddle

From 2010-04-24

A lot of people don't know this, but during the Edo Period, Levi jeans were really popular and in use. A lot of Samurai wore them for day-to-day stuff, but wore the kimono for ceremonies. Oh yeah.

From 2010-04-24

Um...this is really small...but that is what it was like!

From 2010-04-24

It was really a pretty park!

From 2010-04-24

Tables on tatame mats make great picnic spots!

From 2010-04-24

A fountain across from the park. The bells chime.

From 2010-04-24

The guy is starting to point towards me...I think he was surprised to see an American pointing a pink camera at him.

From 2010-04-24

It was a great day! I had a blast.

Wisdom Teeth :(

2010-04-24T20:21:00.006+09:00

Wow....I'm not sure what I did, but I really messed up the spacing on this post....it won't get fixed. So scroll down! lol Wait...I've practically got it fixed. Oh well.

I got my wisdom teeth pulled Tuesday. I thought I took it all really well. I was in a good mood. I didn't freak out when they put me in the chair or put the shot thing in my arm.

I have no idea what is wrong with blogger...but it is really annoying me with this post! Sorry about how un-uniform everything is!

I wrote a really long post about this the other day...but blogger deleted it for some reason. So here it is again!

Before......

From 2010-04-20

....After

....A slightly drugged me

From 2010-04-20

I've had a long week. I've been able to chew some soft foods these last couple of days. My face still hurts, and my speech is slurred a bit. I've had headaches and dizziness for most of the week, today was really the first day when I felt almost normal in that department. I didn't get as much school done this week as I'd wanted to, but oh well.

Before I forget! When I had my tonsils taken out (hmmm about 7 years ago?) I got really violent on the drugs. I don't know why...I'm not a violent person. But I did. They told us that if ever I had to be put under again to let the docs know that. So we told the dentists that I got violent. WEKLLLL.....I don't know what happened, but I didn't get violent. I got really happy. I was telling jokes and having a great time. I don't remember much of what I did or said (kind of a scary thought really) but I do remember waking up twice during the operation. I also remember pretending that I was on a roller coaster when they put me in the wheelchair...complete with sound effects.

I also remember Mom having to run an errand to the chapel and telling me, "not to talk to anyone, get out, or do anything." I don't remember what I did I think I took pictures while I waited.

So there it is, I get kind of loopier than usual on drugs!

Monday!

2010-04-19T22:23:00.003+09:00

I got an early start on school, got it done. We had youth group tonight. Arielle and I went early for human videos. The one we're working on now is coming together well. It was neat to watch. The guys playing Jesus and the devil are starting to get excited about their roles. We've got a busy month ahead of us!

I get my wisdom teeth pulled in the morning. I figure I'll just get out of bed...maybe take a shower and then go. I plan on wearing my pj's and just sleeping the whole day. I'm kind of excited to get to sleep the whole day, and the whole pain thing is a slight damper on my enthusiasm. The dentist said not to wear any lipstick or jewelry or makeup....I don't think that is a problem!

The Laptop ate Jeremy!

2010-04-18T20:19:00.000+09:00

Soooooo....we got a Jeremy Camp CD from the library. Mom and I were talking, she put it into the laptop to load it onto itunes. Nothing happened with itunes so she opened the CD drive thingy on the laptop...and the CD was gone. Without a trace. We looked ALL over but couldn't find it. So we ordered a new one and told the library what happened...."it's like this, the laptop ate it."

From 2010-04-12

Real fast!

2010-04-18T20:03:00.000+09:00

It's been a full week! I've gotten a lot of school done this week...it has been wild, but I'm staying on top and still keeping my goal of half a hour playing with siblings (I've actually done about 1.5 hours a day:)

Dad sent a bunch of pictures...but I'm not sure which ones I can use...but the following seemed safe to post. lol

Shinto, part III

2010-04-16T09:24:00.002+09:00

What is family? It is amazing how the Japanese families seem to stay intact with the long work shifts and long school days. Shintoism supports the structures of the community, hence they support the family. Shintoism promotes group values by expressing them through a set of symbols. The local shrine is the center for many families religious life. Many families have their own kamidana, a small “shrine” that hangs on the wall in their house. Purifying and praying to the Kami are done at these in the home, but for moments of great joy for a family, a wedding or a baby is born, are celebrated and blessed by the Shinto priest at the local shrine. While the sad and “deadly” things of life are conducted at the Buddhist Temple. One is born a Shinto and dies Buddhist.

The Shinto Shrine is what ties all of these foundations together. A shrine is considered a sacred place, because that is where the Kami reside, it is their house. This makes the shrines the most scared place to the Shinto religion. All shrines are marked by a Torii Gate. Sometimes the gate is red and made of wood. Or sometimes it is white and made of brick. The designs differ from region to region and shrine to shrine, but the basic concept is the same: It separates the common ground from the sacred ground. All shrines have their property marked off by a fence or a warning statue so you won’t enter a sacred place with your impure self, thus angering the Kami.
Shinto’s don’t go to the Shrine for regular service (like the Jews or Christians do with synagogues or churches). They go to the Shrines when they are facing a large test, they want help with a relationship, they want to clear their mind, or they need a blessing in something they are about to undertake. The list is infinite. They believe it brings good luck to go and pray to the Kami at the Shrine. The Shrines sell good luck charms and amulets. Before a Shinto can pray, they have to throw money into the Shrine’s alter. The Kami may answer the prayer by giving them their request, but sometimes not and then they’re out a couple of hundred yen.
Shinto’s are very superstitious, a testament of this could be how they build the Shrines. The Shrines are built facing the east; never the north, which stands for death, or the west, which stands for bad luck. The reason for the east could be possibly be that the sun rises in the east, bringing light to the world and sets in the west, bringing darkness.

In conclusion, Shintoism is a very loose religion. It is very possible for one to be a Shinto and a Buddhist at the same time. As is the case with all nations and cultures, with a new generation comes a slightly different take on religion and tradition. To most the younger Japanese, they see Shintoism and Buddhism as a cultural thing, not religious. That is how they can justify being a Shinto and Buddhist at the same time; because being Shinto and Buddhist are part of who they are as Japanese. In America, ones national identity is not measured by whether the person is Christian or Atheist, but it is completely the other way around in Japan. If you are Japanese, then you ARE Shinto and Buddhist.
Shintoism is full of self contradictions, like why would society, without laws and government, fall into chaos if mankind is good? But it is never questioned because that would be an act of individuality, and besides, how do you dispel a belief that has been practiced for thousands of years?

Shinto, part II

2010-04-15T09:25:00.001+09:00

The next foundational question is what is the nature of man? Human nature, according to Shintoism, isn’t evil, even though sometimes someone may act unbecomingly of his Kami. But as a nature, mankind is innocent. Shinto’s recognize that there is evil in the world, but they believe that mans natural desire is too do good.
One of the most ancient ethical codes of conduct in the Shinto religion is group identity. They favor group solidarity over individual identity. Wa (benign harmony) is inherent to nature and human relationships and anything that disrupts this harmony is bad. It is the nature of mankind to seek harmony. Any act of individuality would disrupt Wa, so the nail that sticks up gets hammered down.
Rules governing human behavior are necessary to keep the status of Wa; without which society and nature would fall into disorder. Many maintain the belief that if social nonconformity were tolerated it would result in chaos. Anything that disrupts the Wa (emotions, desires, individualistic action) are looked upon as evil. Mankind isn’t evil as a nature, though. While living, everyone should be kind to each other and be careful not to wrong those around them, because they believe that someone’s Kami may come back and cause trouble to those who wronged them.

What is truth? Shinto’s don’t believe in heaven or hell; they do believe there is a place of impurity. They have no fear of torment in hell for wrong doing. On the flip side, they don’t have a heaven to look forward to for doing what’s right. What then, is their motivation for doing what’s right? They don’t have any holy scriptures as a standard or any deity worthy of imitating (their deities all acted in ways that were most selfish and “unbecoming of their Kami”).So how come Japan has a low crime rate and are some of the most honest people one will ever come across? It all comes back to the group identity. When you do something that breaks the ethics code you shame your tatamae (how one looks to the outside world) and the ie (your employer, family, etc.). Your behavior will reflect on your family and your friends. If you do something that shames them, they will shun you. This circle of conduct greatly regulates how a person will behave.
The Shinto’s don’t believe there is an absolute dichotomy of what is right and wrong; but because mankind is inherently good, they will always act in a worthy manner, whether it was noble or not. If the group says it is okay, then it is okay; you just don’t want to be the person standing out.

What is morality? This topic is a little bit hard to nail down, because truth is a matter of what the group says is right, and even though people do bad things they are really good, and there is no absolutes and all things are gods.
There isn’t a righteousness and sinfulness, there is purity and impurity. Upon first glance, there isn’t much difference between righteousness and purity and sinfulness and impurity. The difference is how the terms “purity,” and “impurity,” are defined. They don’t draw a line between what is right and what is right, but what is pure and impure. Impurity isn’t wrong in and of itself; Shinto’s have impurity just by day to day business. They continuously purify themselves, not because they feel guilty for anything they’ve done, but because it provides peace of mind and good luck.
Purity is the lifeline of the Shinto religion. Blessing a car is part of the assembly process for Japanese cars. All people purify themselves on a daily, weekly, and annual basis.
The Place of Pollution is where all the dead go. It is called The Place of Pollution because death is considered impure. It isn’t a place reserved for moral offenders, like hell, but a place where all people go.
The Shinto’s know death; they understand it is a heartbreaking experience, and they believe even the Kami are heartbroken by it. While the body goes to The Place of Pollution; the Kami is released from all physical bounds and again becomes part of the universal life force. The universal life force is the Kami, because all things have Kami and Kami is essence. The deceased family member’s Kami are then worshipped by the remaining family.

Shinto, part I

2010-04-14T09:53:00.002+09:00

Here is an essay I wrote on Shintoism...the research was kind of mind boggling, and I'm not sure everything translated right, but here it is. Part I

Shinto

All peoples of all nations and all times have, or have had, a worldview. A worldview is the lenses through which someone sees the world. All worldviews attempt to answer several fundamental questions about our very existence: What is the nature of God? What is the nature of man? And what is the universe? From these, several more questions arise: What is truth? What is morality? And what is family? These questions form the foundation to any worldview. The worldview that we will be looking at specifically is Shintoism. Shintoism and Buddhism are very intermixed and hard to separate. When I say that Shinto’s believe something, be aware that Buddhists’ also believe something similar. However, for the sake of simplicity, I will say that the Shinto’s believe something and exclude the Buddhists’.

Shintoism doesn’t have a monotheistic God, they are polytheistic. It is a complex mix of animism, ancestral worship, and worship of Kami. Kami, when translated, is the rough equivalent of spirits, natural forces, or essence. Everything has Kami; the birds, the rocks, the trees, people, the mountains, the ocean, and anything else you can think of. It all has a spirit. That is how animism fits into all of this; animism being the belief that all things have a soul. Nature, we must then conclude, is alive. If all things have Kami, then nature and mankind are inseparable, they’re equal. When a person dies, the family worships that person’s Kami to appease the Kami so it won’t cause trouble for the living. In reality then, worshiping the Kami is the same as worshiping your deceased ancestors. When you do something that harms nature, you offer a special prayer to placate the Kami.
At the ground breaking ceremonies for whatever is being built, a Shinto priest is there to bless and to pray to the Kami of the ground so it won’t be angry at the builders. An interesting fact about Shintoism is what they believe about babies. Shrines are dedicated to a child’s Kami who dies before birth, be it a miscarriage or an abortion because the baby’s Kami is thought to seek revenge and cause plagues and troubles for the living. The Shinto’s recognize that the unborn child is a living being, and that is why they take such care to try and appease the Kami of the baby. Shinto’s take much reverence if they are killing something to further their own well being, because they don’t want the Kami of whatever they killed to seek vengeance.

Shintoism is polytheistic. They have deities, the chief deity being Amatersasu, the sun goddess. Shintoism is a religion of brightness, at least to them it is, and that is why the sun goddess is so important to them. The Japanese national flag is a rising sun, in honor of the sun goddess.

A common factor to all worldviews is that they offer a creation story. How did we get here? Shintoism offers that the myriad of deities told two of their own to create a land for them to live on. Izanagi-no-Mikoto (male) and Izanami-no-Mikoto (female) then dipped a spear in the sea from the heavens and pulled it out of the water. The drops that fell from the spear tip formed land, the island of Japan. The deities then dwelt on the island. But then the two creators of the land, Izanangi-no-Mikoto and Izanami-no-mikoto, wanted offspring. They then engaged in a sacred ceremony, but they did it wrong and the following offspring (islands) were cast away. When tried again the offspring (islands) were perfect and so they kept them.
This is very important to the Shinto’s belief. Japan was created for the gods and goddess’, making it sacred. Some things are considered especially sacred: an unusual shaped rock or a tall tree. Mount Fuji is one of these places. At the top of Hakoda Mountain there is a small Shinto shrine.
Finding the difference between what is holy and what is the universe is very difficult with Shintoism. The Kami are worshipped, and all things have Kami, thus the universe is god.

School Update!

2010-04-13T21:14:00.003+09:00

Here's a quick school update!

I tripled my work load, I'm pushing hard to get done by the beginning to mid July. I was worried as I started, I'd been having a lot of trouble staying on top of things with a regular load and so I had no idea what would happen with a tripling of the load.

I was able to pull it off last week, and I'm on track for doing it again for this week. I decided that unless I made a set time when I'd stop and be done for the day then I would never be done and wouldn't see my family for a long time....so i made the cut off 4....which is WAYYYY earlier than I'd usually been getting it done. I'm managing.

I've got a biography to write about George Washington, and the research is really making me mad. The authors of the books I'm reading is portraying him as a power hungry, immature, little creep. GRRRR

Basketball!

2010-04-08T20:03:00.001+09:00

Our neighbors has this basketball hoop that they just let lay in their yard since they moved in. Since then we have had 1 typhoon, a lot of rain storms, 2 blizzards, and a lot of ice. When the snow finally thawed I went and asked if we could set it up. They agreed.

We first put it at the end of the street in front of our house. But our other neighbor decided to keep parking his car right under the hoop, and so we were afraid the wind would blow the hoop onto his brand new car. Plus there wasn't much room. And every time you missed the shot, the ball would go into the farmers corals. so we moved it.

From 2010-04-07

I can dunk with this thing....I'm not sure how high it is...maybe 9 feet. But i like to dunk it, and feel all pro!

From 2010-04-07

Siblings and neighbors have played me in many games, but I've got the advantage of being tall and knowing how to play...so i usually win!

From 2010-04-07

Vitacost (a food company that we order food from that we can't get in Japan) decided to send us this.....I guess if I plan on getting huge and buff, I got the stuff to do it!

From 2010-04-07

BTW! Our human video team made it into the talent show! YAY!

Goodbyes

2010-04-08T19:56:00.000+09:00

Here we are at the airport....I wonder how much of my life I spend at an airport!

That is us saying goodbye in Japan.....

From 2010-04-02

....and this was the welcoming commity for Dad in the States

From 2010-04-02

He is safely arrived at his destination after 7 days of travel...crazy!

Human Videos!

2010-04-06T19:52:00.010+09:00

I've said in previous posts that I'm heading up a drama team at the chapel (human videos). It's time I get y'all a real update about that!

Our target audience is the Japanese. We just recently performed our first video at a youth rally off base, with a lot of Japanese. It was an amazing experience, and I'm glad the church had a couple there who could explain what we were doing. I've done some thinking about that, and I realize that the struggles an American youth goes through is different from that of a Japanese youth, making the message of a video not as powerful as it could be. I'm trying to find someone who has a heart for God and understands the Japanese culture to help us bridge the gap.
The youth rally was amazing though. The couple that was doing the speaking did a great job.

The high-school on base is having a talent show, and we signed our human video team up to perform in it. I wasn't sure of details or anything like that, but we decided to go for it. We started working on a new human video, to the song Set Me Free by Casting Crowns. The song is very powerful, and when we add the choreography to it, it should be a real smash. We've worked a couple of weeks on it, and so we have the general concept down but still don't know how to do it.

WELLLLLLLLL!!!! One of the team members e-mailed me today at 11:37 and said that the auditions for the talent show was tonight at 5-8. I hadn't thought of auditions, but here it was. The rest of my afternoon was spent frantically trying to get the team to meet for the audition with just several hours to spare. It has been a very wild afternoon! By 3, I hadn't heard from a lot of the team. I knew for sure there would be 3 of us, but it is hard to do this video with only 3 people! I started calling folks...didn't get much feedback. I waited and prayed...and tried to get school done! lol

In about the last hour and a half before I needed to leave for the base I started to hear from the team...about half was going to be there for sure. I went into my room and did a lot more praying. I was like, "God, if You want us to be there, then You open the doors and bring it together." I was very nervous riding up to the base. I still didn't have our main role covered.

When I arrived at the audition place there weren't very many people from our team...me and one other guy. I signed our name up at the bottom of the list to buy time and waited. In the end we had half the team show up, which was amazing with such short notice. Our main teenager wasn't there and so one of the team played her role. That was her very first time to play that role and she did amazing! We also didn't have a second Roman and so another guy played the Roman for the first time, and he did a great job as well.

When you think about all of that, how we weren't even sure if we would have a team or even what video we were about to do. Because we had just started working on the new one, that is the one we plan on doing in the talent show, we aren't real good with it yet. And so we were hoping they would let us do the first one we had learnt as a sample. But we didn't know if they would go for it until we standing in front of the judges. It is amazing. The team did an awesome job and they really pulled together. Some other people, who were auditioning as well, was peeking through the wall and were crying. God did some really cool stuff today. And the team did a great job. We all got together and we all prayed before we went in there. I just can't even put words to how amazing of a team they are, and how God did such a miracle all at the same time.

We find out Thursday if we are in. So please be praying for that!

ME!!

2010-04-03T21:26:00.004+09:00

The story behind this picture is pretty expansive. Mom and Dad were paying taxes, I was bored and in my room. I had just figured out how to actually take and save pictures on my Japanese cell-phone and so I decided to take a picture. I have an American flag on my wall (I believe in keeping a low profile) and I had myself. So I took this picture. But then I decided it was such a cool picture that I needed to get it onto facebook.....and so I went and got mom's camera. I set my cell phone up on my lap and then attempted to take a picture. But the lighting and focus was bad and so I deleted them. The following picture is the result of a lot of work and effort. It is an amazing story of determination and duty and love. Happy day!

Deployment Goals

2010-04-01T11:39:00.002+09:00

Last night, while we sat around eating ice-cream, Dad asked us what our deployment goals are. hmmmmm.....during this last month I've spent a lot of time with my siblings. Probably more than I've done since we got to Japan. Because I hadn't had school to do, I spent a lot of time with them. And now that March is over and I'm starring down the barrel of some very long school weeks, I don't want to go back to what I'd been doing before this month started. So my first deployment goal is to spend at least .5 hour playing with them everyday, be it board games or outside.

My second goal is to update the blog for Dad at least 3x times a week. :)

My third goal: Max out on the bench press at 160lb. I can do 130 now, so I figure I'll just keep pushing. I think I'd like a six pack too, but I'm not sure that is an official goal!

I also plan on cutting back on Facebook time. I wanted to see if I could go the whole day yesterday without getting on facebook. I did it, but it was hard!! I hadn't realized how much time I'd spent on facebook. It has started to overcome me, and I don't like things having any control over me and so I'm going to try and wean myself of it.

2010-04-01T11:30:00.002+09:00

I've had a lot of "last days," this last month. Yesterday was our last full day with dad before he deploys. Dad had packed earlier in the week and so we just played and went to the bowling alley.
I actually beat Dad in bowling (which is a first) in both games. I was pretty happy! I also made a new high-score for myself, 160 points.

We had dinner and opened up a package from g'ma. Thank you g'ma! I had been looking for a whistle, keeping the human video team focused can be hard sometimes!

Blizzards in March?

2010-03-21T19:46:00.000+09:00

You know how I said it was almost springtime?????? Welllllll............We got a blizzard. 20 inches in one day. It completely shut down the school and base! But it was real windy, so the snow built up in weird patterns. It was bizarre! We had to go out through the side door so we could dig out the front door. I thought about parachuting from the window, but the side door worked just as well.
Uncle Nate and I tried to keep up, but our shovels were no match for mother nature.

Uncle Nate and I were working out when we heard our neighbor's car get stuck in the snow. so we both run out to help him. THAT WAS REALLY COLD!!!! I was wearing a sleeveless shirt and the wind kept blowing the snow through my shirt.

Yestermonth

2010-03-21T19:29:00.006+09:00

I'M GOING TO DO BETTER AT KEEPING THIS UPDATED, HONEST!!!!!!

So, here we are again. Let's catch up! This last month mom has been in and out of the country with conferences, dad has been getting training, and our uncle came to help out. He was a lifesaver! We had a blast with him! He's amazing.

Uncle Nate is back home, mom is home till Tuesday and then she'll be out for the rest of the week. Dad gets back tomorrow and then he'll be here for a bit and then he has to leave again for the actual deployment. *Deep Breath* Wow, crazy schedule!

I mentioned a bit ago that I was working on a drama with the chapel, well things are underway. The human videos is coming together, we've got 1 1/2 performances in the next couple of weeks. I'm really excited to see where God is going to lead this. We've got an awesome team who are enthusiastic and doors are opening.

Yesterday: Mom had a meeting at the chapel, and I had a human video practice for a couple of hours. After my practice, a friend and I went to the gym to play basketball while mom finished her meeting. I had a lot of fun, and I didn't get brutalized as bad as I thought I would. I actually made most of my shots, I couldn't tell you how though. Usually, after I would make a shot, everyone would stop and be like, "how in the world did you manage to do that????? You rolled over me in mid-air and still made the shot." I was usually just as surprised as them, so I didn't reply with something like, "oh, that was my famous "roll over the back and shoot" shot."

Ice Festival!

2010-03-11T11:34:00.000+09:00

We went to the Towada Ice Festival a while back....like almost a month ago! I'm trying! lol

I don't know why, but this picture is really small

There was a stage with a huge carving as the backdrop. It was very cold, but well worth it! As it would get dark they would light up the sculptures and stage. There also was a large tent with heaters and food, or else I don't think we would have survived all those hours!

Mmmmmm.....

After it had gotten dark, these drummers came out (there is a different word for it, but I don't remember what it was). They beat the drums and yelled and jumped and looked very cold!

After the drum show, they set off fireworks. It was a really neat experience! A couple from the chapel did a sculpture out there, for some reason the photo won't load, but theirs looked really neat!

Running and Ponies

2010-03-06T20:22:00.004+09:00

I will post about some more interesting stuff soon, I just forgot the password to get to the pictures to add visuals! lol

We've had a pretty laid back week. We've all gotten a good deal of school done, but not to the point of stressing out. The weather has been getting warmer and so we've all spent a lot of time outside.

Uncle Nate and I went for a run tonight. We made it into Oriosi, but it was dark so we turned back. It was a good run, a bit chilly though. I love running in Japan. I got up early the other day and went running through the rice fields, and even though it is just dirt right now the view of the snow capped mountains is breathtaking. And then at night, with the sun setting behind the bonsai trees, and then glow of Hachinohe in the distance. Even though getting here was a trial, and if it had been up to me at the time we would have stayed in Texas. But now that I'm here, I wouldn't trade the time here for the world.

Arielle, Nolan, Alex, and I walked to see the pond/ponies as well. We got to the ponies right as the farmer was putting them away for the night. He motioned for me to come over and so I did, the others were a bit behind. He and I talked a bit. With his bit of English, and my bit of Japanese we actually had a relatively intelligent conversation. We talked about the ponies; one is male, the other is female. The male is about 6 years old and named Moishu or something like that. The female is 7 and is named Hannah. We talked about whether we would get any more snow for the year. We actually joked about our speaking abilities, both of us got a kick out that! He then told me, partly in English and partly in Japanese to come tomorrow at 8, or 3 and we could feed the ponies. But then he led us over to his car, opened it up and gave us all an apple to bring to the ponies when we did. So we really need to remember to go over there tomorrow!

Skiiing!

2010-02-26T22:24:00.004+09:00

Arielle and I were invited by a family from the chapel to go skiing with them today. Arielle and I have never really done skiing, but we were both game.

It was a lot of fun! I don't have any pictures...I meant to take my camera but forgot. It was raining most of the day, but we don't mind rain! lol Mr. D took us to the top of the bunniest bunny hill and showed us how to do everything. I went down and didn't fall! Arielle almost made it, but she decided to stay on the bunny hill for a while.

There was hardly anybody out there to worry about running into, except for the crazy snowboarders who would be flipping all over the slope! I jumped onto the ski lift (nearly knocked the other person off). From the top of the next slope I tried going down and didn't fall again. I was happy! We skied for a couple of hours and then got some lunch. Hot ramen soup tastes soooooo good after skiing for several hours!

While we had been eating, a fog had started to roll in. It got to the point where, on the ski lift, you could only see the cart in front of you. IT was sooo extremely foggy! And that was when I started to crash. I fell around 4 times the whole day, and it was during this time! The fog really did make it hard to see. On my last run there were people lying all over the floor and so I did some fancy maneuvering!

There were a bunch of trees that I kept trying to steer through...I almost had it twice, but each time I crashed epically. Mrs. D pulled up and said, "I really wish I had a camera!" one ski was sticking straight up in the ground, both poles were scattered here and there. And I was lying face first.

Alicia and I were going down the middle of the main slope (we both decided to stop trying to swerve through the trees). She nearly fell and said something to that extent while we were going down; I looked back to congratulate her on not falling, when I lost my balance and fell. It was foggy...we couldn't see anything, but we could hear the sound of snowboards and whatnot zipping all around. And then the snowboarders came! It was a wild few moments on the ground, with both skis scattered, one pole was about thirty feet down the slope, while the other was like thirty feet up the slope.

Arielle and I both had a blast! I'm really tired and I'm sure I'm going to be sore in the morning, but it was worth it!

Catching up

2010-02-18T22:59:00.006+09:00

HEY! It has been a while, and in all honesty I was planning on letting my blog die away into the cyberspace. But Dad is going to be gone for severality and a few more months, and so I decided to try and keep it up again:)

I don't know where to start! I've been very busy with school...and I'm really tired right now so everything I write may not make sense or be grammatically correct, but I did just finish 12.5 hours of school, with a head-ache, so cut me some slack!

I've also been keeping myself busy with a drama program (human videos) I'm trying to get started here at the chapel. Everything is going smoothly with that, thanks to an amazing team helping me! Right now there are some snags with the script that we are trying to work through, there will be more about this later!

Piano lessons are going alright. I've just started learning, and am having some problems mastering G position because I keep wanting to play a C position. So needless to say, my music doesn't sound very pretty right now!

Japanese lessons are still going (but we'll be off for March while Mom is in and out). Akiko is determined to get us to read, I think I'd rather learn how to speak it. If I were going to be in Japan longer than I'm going to be I'd invest more time in learning to write it. I kind of don't like the language...I love the people. But I don't like their language. I liked German a lot better, it was much manlier sounding!

The snow is melting away! I'm kind of tired of the cold and ready for the sun to come out again. I hear from people who have lived here a while that spring is fastly approaching.

That's about all I can write for now, I need to go to bed and try and get some sleep. I've got a dentist appointment in the morning for my wisdom teeth, plus a test in most of my school subjects.

How's that Dad? lol

2010-02-13T22:58:00.001+09:00

I will update soon...it has been a while!

Snow Day!

2009-12-22T13:35:00.007+09:00

It's a snow day! It's been snowing a lot these last few days, but we're supposed to get a heat wave. So we went and played before it all melted away. I'm really hoping for a white Christmas!

Our Texas snowgal

That chaperone was a bit scary! I honestly don't think this relationship is going to last long, she's got a bad habit of just leaving during spring and summer!

There's snow on the ground..meaning it's cold. Meaning I'm ready for Texas again!

The Nursing Home

2009-12-15T17:25:00.007+09:00

Last Friday we went to the local nursing home with a group from the chapel. We were going to wish them happy birthday. We had a large group. We gave them their gifts and then sang happy birthday. After that we sang the chorus of "Joy to the World," in English and Japanese.

The lady sitting is 104. Amazing..truly amazing!

In the bottom of the gift bags was some sparkling stencil. The workers at the nursing home couldn't figure it out and I heard them say "uki" among themselves. Then one of the lady's carried it over to the Christmas tree and put it on the tree. Mom and another lady started to help them. they couldn't reach the last couple of feet near the top, so I stepped in!

Just in case you were wondering, I avoided hitting my head on the door jams. There were a few close calls, but the collision was averted!

The Intercultural Exchange

2009-12-15T17:16:00.005+09:00

Last Saturday we had a Intercultural Gift Exchange. Mr. Simon, a local American, brought about 20 Japanese children onto base to play games and have a pizza party with 20 American children. They decorated crafts, which were crosses. It was sad to watch the difference between the Japanese children and the American children. The Japanese were much better behaved. Not all of the Americans were being bad; I guess you can have 19 good kids, and then 1 bad kid reflects on the whole group.

The Chapel Middle-School Drama Team put on a play for the Japanese. Arielle is Joseph. It was fun to watch. The actors would say their lines for a bit, then the Japanese translator would translate to the Japanese.

There was also singing...I still have that tune stuck in my head!

And then there was the gift exchange. It was really neat to watch. Five Japanese children would stand, facing five American children, they would step towards each other, bow and then exchange gifts. Amazing and touching to watch.

Here it comes!

2009-12-15T17:04:00.003+09:00

I'll try to keep the updates coming a bit faster and regularely. I've been busy, but anyways, here I am!

It is snowing outside and sticking; I hope we'll have enough snow on the ground tomorrow to do the things Americans boys and girls do in the snow: snowmen, snow forts, and snowball fights.

School is going well. I'm wrapping up the first unit, ending with the French Revolution. They were pretty messed up. I read the U.S Constitution and was totally amazed at how beautiful it was. But then I read the Declarations of the Rights of Man, and that was very creepy. It was hideous.

I'm in the process of writing an essay of comparison between Shintoism and Christianity. I've got 12 points (yeah I know, a lot). I've covered the first 2 points, and I'm already at 2 pages; this is looking like it is going to be a big piece of genius! lol

Skype!

2009-11-28T18:35:00.003+09:00

Hey! I know its been a while, I've been busy! Here's some pictures from this last week. We took it easy for school, and just had a family Thanksgiving dinner. We've been working with Skype and I've had a few conversations with brothers and sisters stateside.

What are we doing?

Oh. Look who joined us for dinner? They all called and we were able to have a conference call. It was Thanksgiving in Japan when they called, but by the time we hung up it was Thanksgiving in Japan, Texas, and Oregon.

Guess what?

2009-11-18T19:14:00.003+09:00

Yep, there's a birthday in the house! Guess who's it is?......

Happy Birthday Dad! You're the best! If there is one person who I could be just like, it would be you!

2009-11-18T19:06:00.003+09:00

We're all pretty busy with school and chapel sort of stuff. I have youth group on Monday nights, which is fun.

We also have piano lessons during the afternoon

It has been raining a lot these last few days. I was looking out my window, watching the dark clouds build. I said, "if you're going to snow, then snow! If not, then warm up into the 90s!" A couple of minutes later it started to snow. It has been snowing most of today, making it a very cold run!

The ocean was a bit agitated by all of the rain and whatnot

I don't know...I just saw it and so I decided to put it on!

Science!

2009-11-11T20:31:00.004+09:00

I've been busy with school. The other day I ran down to the farmers pond to get some pond water for experiments in the future. I let them sit over the weekend and then on Monday went to work. I had four jars, one had egg, another had soil, another hay, and the last had rice.

And then I actually did the experiment, with siblings wanting to take a look in the microscope. They all were sure they saw "something," but it was always different from what the other saw. lol

Stacia even said she saw a princess!

I was cleaning up the mess in the garage...because the jars smelled bad. I had the garage door opened. I was heading inside when I noticed a pair of feet standing on the other side of the door. I could tell by the make of the boots that it was Japanese. I bent down, the same the Japanese gentleman did. We both stared at each other from under the garage door. "Uh, konichiwa." I say, trying to make it seem like total strangers sticking their heads under my garage door was normal. He started speaking...I couldn't understand him, but nodded me head in whole-hearted agreement. He said, "domo" and then walked off. I have no idea what that was about! Mrs. Kim, any insights?

2009-11-10T20:59:00.001+09:00

I'll update tomorrow!!!!

Running

2009-11-07T20:34:00.004+09:00

Alright...hmmm I did school this week. I'm doing "fantastic," if you ask me! lol

Life can start to feel normal again...we're not traveling anywhere, we have Internet at the house, we have a church, and a house. I think I can finally say the Summer of '09 is over! It was long and hard...I think I learned a lot and am a better person now.

The farmers continue to harvest their crops. They go through and take the best stuff and then leave the rest to decompose and fertilize. That's great for their fields, but when the wind picks up it smells awful! I was out running and nearly threw up, it smelled so bad!

On the topic of running, I finally found a running route that the chances of dying aren't 50-50. I was used to in Texas just being able to run in whichever direction I liked and would have thousands of trails ect. to follow. It's not the case here. You have to run about 1 mile west to get to Oriosi and a safe route. And a 1/4 mile East till you reach the Shinto Shrine. You can either follow the route up passed the Shrine, but it is very scary and dangerous. If ever any of y'all visit, I'll show it to you. There are no shoulders on the farm roads, so you have to run on the road until you can find a side-walk. It's exciting to me, it's an adventure!

I'm Back!

2009-11-04T19:58:00.004+09:00

Alright...we're in the house, we have Internet, we are busy, and life is starting to have a bit of routine. The farmers have been real busy harvesting their second harvest of rice. They haven't had much luck with drying it though, it keeps raining.

Rice set out to dry

Arielle, Nolan, and I started piano lessons this week. I'm excited to try and learn it, and yes it is very manly! lol

Last week we started our Japanese lessons. We have a Japanese tutor, all is going well. She showed us the Hiragana alphabet (is it an alphabet, Mrs. Kim?). She showed us how to write our names in Katagana.

On Saturday night Arielle, Nolan, and I went to base to help out with an out reach. We set up booths with games, candy, hot apple cider, and hot-dogs, for the American and Japanese tricker-treaters. I didn't know the Japanese celebrated Halloween, but they probably just do it because they like to try American food. It was a lot of fun. I had a little bit of trouble communicating to the Japanese that we were handing out hot dogs. So I tried, "Dozo hot-dogo!" Eventually they figured it out!

Mom and I went to Homac (a Japanese Lowes). Outside was some Christmas stuff. The Japanese don't do Christmas, but are marketing towards Americans. I looked around, but all I saw was snowmen and Santa Clause, no Baby Jesus. I'll keep looking. I find it sad that those in America have marketed Christmas to the point that the main point is no longer the main point.

Oh, it also snowed yesterday. All of it melted, but it was exciting!

Airshow

2009-10-21T18:21:00.003+09:00

We went to the Airshow on base. It was a zoo trying to get on! Traffic was backed up from the base gate all of the to the DyDo vending machine...that is pretty far!

The Japanese-American ratio was like 200-1. It made this patriotic heart of mine proud to see "our boys," up in the air. I've been at lots of airshows. Sometimes I did important things like keep people from getting into an active prop, and sometimes less important things like getting heat stroke. But this was one of the better ones!

It was strange being able to see the flight line and have a great view, even from way in the back!

The plane went up, and did the artillery

Dude....

The Japanese were grilling this on one side of the road, while the Americans grilled hot dogs on the other!

Hakkoda Mt

2009-10-21T18:08:00.005+09:00

I went with the youth group on a hiking trip to Hakkoda Mountain, a volcano. At first it looks a lot like Alaska....

....But then after we were crammed into a ski-lift thingy I remembered we are in Japan! When the doors were open I had people running all over and pushing and shoving, I was sort of surprised really. The Japanese are so polite, next thing I knew I was having my head banged against those little black things hanging from the roof. At several points, during the mad rush to get off, I got separated. But seeing as it would be impossible to lose me in the crowd I wasn't to worried!

The view was absolutely amazing!

Sea of Japan

Aomori(sp?)

It was actually a volcano. Our guide, Mr. Simon took us to two craters. One of half of a crater, the other one was a perfectly round crater. Mr. Simon started to sing, "How great thou Art," when we reached the top, so we all joined in.

The Crater

There was a hot spring that we stopped to look at

The weather was really cold for someone leaving the warmer climates of TX, but it was a lot of fun. We split up at the first crater, only a few went on to the second crater, I went along to the second one. When we had all reached the bottom the second group told the first about the snow monkeys that attacked....oh yeah, no joke! lol

Adam-sahn

2009-10-21T18:05:00.003+09:00

Did I mention the typhoon? I'm sure it has some other name, but I called it "Adam-sahn." I heard it was the very one that hit the Philippines. Nobody was hurt, we only got the edges. But man that was a lot of rain and wind!

Snapshot!

2009-10-21T17:50:00.006+09:00

We've been working really hard getting moved into the house....it is starting to settle down. For a while I thought I was suffering from PTSD, but we're all good! It is so good to be in a house after so many months of being on the run.

I've got a schedule down and am keeping to it faithfully, Jamin would be so proud. My schedule is pretty tight, but I've been getting it done at an hour unheard of while in TX. I can still remember staying till 10-midnight working on stuff....good times.

I sat on the back porch this morning eating a hot bowl of oatmeal and enjoyed watching Japan come alive. I've been trying to find a running route that won't get me killed...a little bit hard. I don't know what it is, but I hate running during the day. I prefer to go at night. But there is no shoulder on these farm roads and so you have to actually run in the road.....which is very tense during the day. I went for a run last night through a neighboring sub division...I'm not sure what scares me more: a dark empty subdivision or a farmers road where you need to be able to jump into the irrigation ditch at the drop of a hat.

Swan Park

2009-10-18T17:28:00.006+09:00

We went and found the Swan Park. There was a really tall tower that we climbed. From the top we could see the ocean and much of the sou rounding area. It is moments like this that I realize just how big and awesome God really is.

I saw pictures of this tower when we first heard we were moving here, it was neat to actually see it myself.

Chaw's theme-song please...note the stir in the watter to the swan's right....that is a HUGE fish...carp?

Trying to harness the blur

2009-10-18T17:10:00.005+09:00

Alright, we're just about moved into our house; won't have internet for a while though. Here is some pics of the packers coming. Their truck was automatic and the whole side just opened up. Pretty cool.

We've had tons of adventures since we've been in our house. We've had a typhoon, an earthquake, I climbed to the top of a volcano and rode a ski lift way up in the mountains....I've done somersaults at the Japanese shopping stores....Mom and I parked in the middle of a road on accident, we just had a huge airshow, we've gone to Swan park...farming markets...so much and little time!

We have been really busy moving in. I have learned to put bookshelves and whatnot together without instructions as most of them are in Japanese....I still have no idea how to set my alarm clock...hmmm.

While at Sanwado (the Japanese Wal-mart) I was having a lot of fun running up and down the isles with a very fast and sporty shopping cart. It was all good until the cart got a little bit to much on one end and flipped forward, taking me out at the knees. I was right in the main entrance when I did my fancy little trick so everyone in that part of the store saw the American go head-over-heels. Not cool. A kindly Japanese gentleman rushed to pull me out of the desks and bookshelves, he told me something in Japanese. I thanked him and loaded the cart up and headed out again. In retrospect I think he was saying, "don't put that stuff back on the cart, it will flip again." But I don't speak Japanese and so I did it again in the parking lot. I think my ego was hurt way worse than my legs, but I did tear up from the pain the second time!

Can you hear me now?

2009-10-17T09:24:00.004+09:00

Hey y'all! I'm sitting in the car, with a coat over my head so I can see the computer screen and trying to look natural as I use someones unsecured network.

We are moved into our house...we still do not have internet, and it is looking like it could be a few more weeks before we do have internet at the house. grrr. We've had a lot of exciting things happening...a typhoon, earthquake, getting settled, I hiked to the top of a volcano, and so much more! I'll fully update in a few hours, if I can make it to the base, if not then just know we're not dead or anything unnatural!

Quick Update

2009-10-01T13:29:00.004+09:00

Alright, we are in the house. No pics yet. I'm writing this really fast, so excuse poor grammar!

We don't have Internet out there, so I'll update as I'm able. I probably won't have much time to read anybodies blog for however long we don't have Internet. We could have Internet at the end of a week, or 4, it's up in the air.

We love the house; our hold baggage arrived this morning. The point of the hold baggage was so it would be here while we didn't have the rest of our stuff. But seeing as the rest of our stuff doesn't arrive till tomorrow...it didn't really matter! Oh well! It's really great to be out of the TLF!

Guess what...

2009-09-26T20:57:00.006+09:00

....is just a mile or so down the road from where we'll be living????

The big blue!

This is a re-cap of the last 3 days! We've gone to the ocean every day, so it's a hit! The house is finished and so it is just a matter of time; hopefully by Wed or Thursday, we should be moving in. I can't wait to get out of the TLF's! I can't help but laugh at the people who complain about being in them for a week and a half. I'm like, "lady, I've been here 7 to 8 weeks. I'm really not the person to be complaining around!"

There's these shipwrecks up on the beach. If look down the coast you can see Hachinohe.

Apparently people comb the beaches in search of glass floaty things. I don't know why. I found this, it didn't make the cut though!

umm....I guess we went to the house sometime during the weekend

You can't swim on this part of the coast, because you'll probably die. And most people try to avoid that.

We all love the coast for different reasons...I have a special reason to like it because it has a basketball hoop. These are the first ones I've seen off base so far. I want to play the Japanese some time, but first I need to learn how to ask, "Can I play basketball with you?" lol

Cheese Roll

2009-09-23T23:16:00.006+09:00

Guess Where???

You guessed it, a ramen house! Mom and I had been wanting to try another Japanese restaurant. We had heard some good things about this place, but also that a cockroach was spotted recently. The cockroach didn't bug me to much, just don't think of insects while you eat!

I was surprised to see a TX licence plate on the wall, along with a lot of other state plates. Apparently when Americans leave Misawa they write a note on the licence plate and leave it at this restaurant.

The Ramen Bowls were huge!!! So big, they made us put on life jackets before they would serve us our bowls!

A restaurant on the bottom, and a house on top. Is that common Mrs. Kim?

Also, is it the polite thing to drink the broth when the noodles are all eaten? That's what I thought, but nobody else was doing it.

Pacific Fishing Trip

2009-09-23T21:55:00.008+09:00

The other day Day and I went a Pacific Fishing Trip. It was fun. On the drive to to Hachinohe our Japanese driver was sort of speeding...like 110 clicks in a 70 click speed zone!

The view on the water was very pretty. I can't think of anything prettier than watching that sunrise. It was breath-taking, so much so I forgot to take a picture!

The boat was a little bit smaller than expected, and our fellow Americans were throwing a fit. I couldn't believe how jerky they were being to the Japanese. Sad.

This was my least favorite job....baiting the hook!

The boat behind me is the one we thought we were going to be on, but instead we went to a smaller one!

I had a lot of fun. I was also very glad I didn't get sea sick. I wasn't looking forward to being sick, but had prepared myself psychologically; running Facebook status' through my head "Jared is a sick-sea dog." But I didn't get sick, so life is good!

I know it looks like I'm eating my thumb, but that it is really beef jerky

This is the SMALLEST fish that we caught, I know there has been rumors that they weren't big, but they were so big that the whole boat nearly sunk. Oh yeah. I had to cut the line to save every ones life. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it!

After we would catch a fish, it would be thrown onto ice. After we had docked we found out that the sea people don't clean the fish for you, that you have to do it yourself. I had my knife that I bought in California so Dad and I headed off to clean the fish. We stopped off at the Chapel office so Dad could work on something for a minute. I sat in the car with our supposedly dead fish. To my surprise I started to hear flapping in the back. Perplexed, I go and check it out. To my horror the sea bass had gotten out of the bag and was striking out on his own across the floor of the van. The little rascal took a bit of effort to catch. He almost got under the seat before I could nab him!

Inside the House

2009-09-20T21:15:00.006+09:00

Hey! Sorry I haven't updated in a while, I've been pretty busy! Please forgive the grammar and whatnot, I'm in a hurry!

We got to go into our house on Friday. It looks really nice. It should be finished before to long and very soon we should be moving in!

Exploring the closets

Already doing handy jobs around the house!

All of us in the kitchen

The sink is a little bit low....and there is no dish washer...I may need to get a chair for doing dishes!

The command seat

The inside is very pretty and I can't wait to be in it. I'm sure there will be many more pics to come as we are able to move in, I'll try to get some more on here tomorow. And now, I'm really tired and want to go to bed!

The Other 1/2's Adventure in Misawa

2009-09-14T20:52:00.000+09:00

On Thursday, I think it was, Mom took the younger four to the Farmer Market, while I finished up school at the TLF. It had been a while and I had finished school, played some Jared vs Jared basketball, watched the news, and was now starting dinner when I got a phone call from Dad.

They had hit a curb and it had blown the tire. Dad drove out to the Farmers Market and replaced the tire with a snow tire we had. i know I have said this before, but the roads are so tight here it is often a scary ride...no matter who's driving! And the particular spot that they were in (by the Shinto Shrine) is especially tight and narrow!

When they did get to the Farmers Market they bought plenty of fruit. And apparently there were animals....

I heard reports that this pony grabbed Nolan and tried dragging him in the pin

Um....I think this is at Universe (it's like Japan's Sam's Club)

Back to the Farmers Market! lol. A little Onsen for your feet...just your feet. I think a lot of people would be annoyed if you went all of the way.

*Note: Onsen's are the hot water springs that are all over this part of Japan. You usually go into an Onsen without your clothes...I know. I wonder if I could get in with a swim suit.*

It's what everyone wants to do!

2009-09-14T20:39:00.001+09:00

On Friday we went to the train park off base. We met with some friends and played and had a lot of fun. We started to play tag and I noticed a couple of Japanese children (a boy and girl) watching with interest. So I walked up to them and said "excuse me, do you speak English?" in Japanese. I figured I may as well get the basics out of the way. When the girl answered no, I attempted to ask them if they wanted to play tag with us; using hand gestures. The girl got the point, but the boy didn't want to play.

The little girl played and seemed to have a lot of fun. I went to get a drink of water from the drinking fountain after I'd played for a while. The drinking fountains aren't like America where you have to put your mouth to the nozzle and siphon the water. It shoots the water WAY up in the air. After squirting myself in the face a few times I realized this was greatly amusing the two Japanese children, who were watching.

I know how to entertain younger children, having four younger siblings, and I did House of Faith where I worked with hundreds of kids under the age of 12. I KNOW how to make them laugh. Acting stupid works at the house, at the schools, and it has been proven to work in Japan! lol

So I shot myself in the face a few more times to make them laugh. But then the boy walked up and turned off the water. I assumed he was going to show how to do it. He turned the water on again, full pressure, and put his hands in it...consequently spraying me with water. That really made them laugh. And so they did it again and again and again and again; until I was thoroughly soaked.

Oh well, it was bonding!

2009-09-13T21:04:00.001+09:00

There has been rumors....

2009-09-13T20:28:00.006+09:00

....That Lady Liberty was spotted in Japan. They are confirmed! lol We drove out to Oriosi (a town near bye Misawa). On the outskirts of town was a park with the Statue of Liberty. It stands at the same latitude as the original in New York. It is also the largest in Japan...I didn't know they had very many of those here!

I don't think it is the same height as Lady Liberty in NY, because she seems a little bit shorter and to have gained a few pounds, but it is still really cool.

I've always wanted to get a picture in front of the Statue of Liberty...but never expected to do it in Japan!

There was a lake and a beautiful nature walk. There is also fishing, I don't think it can get better than that!

This has been voted the best picture of them all

There was also a park with a super long slide. The parks a lot funner here than State-side, but the parks are also a lot more hazardous than in America. I guess you can't have both!

Shiny threads like these have started to appear around the rice fields. We guessed it was to keep the crows away as harvest time neared.

Last Week!

2009-09-13T20:14:00.004+09:00

Alright, a quick update from last week!

Monday-(this will get its own post) we went to the Statue of Liberty Park.

Tuesday-We continued to work on school. My math/science arrived! Yay! I wrote an essay on Saigo Takamori, maybe I'll post it. I also have doing a lot of research into Japanese Feudalism. Last year for school I studied European feudalism, and so I plan on writing an essay of comparison.

Wednesday-Same old! I've been doing books on the culture, listening to my Japanese tapes, and math. I also did extra research on rice farming and wrote an essay on that. I really like to write; I don't think I'd ever want to go into the business. You'll notice that I've started labeling a lot of the posts since I've been in Japan as, "Jared Meets Japan." A friend suggested I write a book about my time here in Japan. I figure in a few years I'll go back, collect all of the posts with that label, edit it, and then try and get it printed as a book. It's worth a shot!

Thursday- I did school while Mom and the younger four ran to the farmer's market (which is just down the road from where we will be living). They had an adventure, and that deserves a separate post!

Friday-I finished research for the Japanese feudalism and wrote the essay; I did more for school that day, but for school that was the headlight! We then met some friends at a park off base, which will also get a separate post!

Saturday-We mostly hang around! lol

Today-Arielle and I helped out at the Sunday School kick-off. It was a carnival/luau sort of show! We went to church, Dad preached. It was pouring rain! That about sums it up!

Never Forget

2009-09-12T20:37:00.008+09:00

It is hard to imagine it has been 8 years since 9/11, the biggest terror attack on American soil ever. I still remember that morning very well. I was 7 and it seemed impossible to me that someone would want to kill Americans; but as I've gotten older I have realized that there is evil out there. That there is people who are consumed by their hate for America that they would kill thousands of innocent people every day if they could. I am writing this to remind us to never to forget, but also to never let it happen again. There are still people out there bent on killing us.

The terrorist would kill millions if they get the chance, we cannot let them get that chance. That is why we shouldn't allow N. Korea to get away with testing nuclear weapons. That is why we must remain strong in the face of Iran and all other hate filled radical groups who hate liberty and freedom.

The fight for freedom is one that will always be fought, from generation to generation. So, as a generation, let us rise up and continue the fight. The fight that our fathers started during the Revolutionary War, and that our brothers continue in Afghanistan. With one voice let us say, "We will not fade away into the darkness, we will not be defeated, we are Americans so let liberty ring!" Despite what comes against us, we will stand.

Air and Aviation Museum

2009-09-10T20:35:00.005+09:00

On Sunday we went to the Air and Aviation Museum. I was surprised when we entered and realized this was going to have a LOT of stuff to do!

I love the Japanese, and their little cars!

As you can see the grass is well kept up! lol

Inside they had all sorts of things to do. This was a pulley system. Alex lifted him and Stacia with no problem using the pulleys.

This is a mimic helicopter.

Flight simulators. Arielle and I did good, we nearly crashed landed, but we straightened it out. And I accidental turned off the throttle while in mid air, but other than that it was a good flight!

You know those little needle things that you put your face in? They had a full body sized one of those. Yay Longhorns! I wasn't sure if the horns meant something bad here, so I etched it out very quickly!

This would shoot you 26 feet in the air

This would spin around...not fast though.

This globe was rotating. There were little lasers that resembled guns (ironic) and you would "shoot" the country you wanted to know about and information on that country would pop up on the screen.

No Gravity! I'm FREE!

There was a music festival outside. We bought meat on a stick...I can pronunce it, but I can't spell it right now, maybe later! This made their day! They even gave us one free one after we had returned a few times for more. They laughed and smiled and were very friendly!

There was so much to do in there! We barely scratched the surface, and I don't have time to write more about it right now. A lot of the rides and stuff was stuff that astronaut trainees would do. I had a lot of fun!

Saturday

2009-09-07T21:00:00.004+09:00

On Saturday we went on a road trip to Shiriyia light house. It is about 50 miles North of us, but it took us 2-3 hours to get there. Why? Well the speed limit is slow. Also we were driving on very twisty and narrow roads! It was funny, we got to the light house and was just starting to take pictures when a man pulled up on a motorcycle and started to wave frantically that we needed to leave. Bummer!

The Light House

The Setting Sun

The Moon over the ocean

Here is one of those roads!

Wild Horses. That's right, Wild Horses!

A Texan must have helped with the translations on that one!

The drive home was fun, but it was dark. The roads were narrow and the only light s you really had were the vending machines along the the road! We were originally looking for a shipwreck, but didn't find it.

Templates

2009-09-07T20:54:00.004+09:00

Here's a new template. I chose it because it is almost the 8th years since the terrorist attack on the Twin Towers. What do you think? Does everything mesh, or does it clash?

Hachinohe Botanical Gardens & Children's Land

2009-09-07T20:07:00.003+09:00

On Friday we took off for Hachinohe for the Botanical gardens. It took about an hour to get there, and as wlays, the ride was amazing!

The gardens themself was very well kept up. The idea being that it is a place of tranquility. It was. You can almost feel a bit of peace as you enter the place! I was surpirsed when they had a play land on the other end of the garden. The Japanese like to make things very family freindly and there wasn't any admitance fee.

This car reminds me of someone I know....

Some of these pictures will not coorperate and be like the rest, so sorry it doesn't all match!

Sis and I

They had a ferris wheel...a very slow moving ferris wheel!

As always there is something that just isn't the right size! But really, that sink is for children.

There was a little water ride

Did I mention monkeys??? These monkeys looked like they had some har loss problems. It's fun watching monkeys and their mannerisms!

Ice-Cream in the vending machine is a big deal here! The flavors were good. They actually have an ice-cream here that isn't cold. I don't know what it is made of, but it's not cold, but it tastes like ice-cream.

I thought Mom was taking a picture with me and the sign in Kanji that I had just read, instead she got one of me and that rather scary looking statue!

I saw the rock slide and the first thing that went through my head was, "let's slide down it!" not realizing that is what you actually do. Pretty cool

The Japanese branch of of the G Family

Most of the rides were hard on Dad and I's knees. The go-cart racing, roller-coaster, and pedal ride was no excpetion!

You get an excerise while you play! You just peddle the peddles like you would a bike and around the track you go!

Alex sort of reminds me of Jamin when he first started to learn to drive!

Stacia on the ferris wheel

There was a pond with large carp, which represent boyhood. Becuase the carp is determined and swims up stream. Sounds to me like they need to be introduced to the King Salmon! But they actually have a Boy Festival where everyone puts out these carp on their front doors to remind boys to be dtermined and "get 'er done!"

Poll Results

2009-09-04T20:10:00.008+09:00

*Warning...movie reviews in progress*

According to the poll a lot of you think Goofy is a dog. You can also add in 4 more votes for a dog from my younger siblings. Why is this important? Why did I take a poll? There was a lot of debate going on in our family over the issue. The results determined which side that movie is on...and it is leaning left!

In Disney's "Three Musketeers," starring Mickey, Donald, and Goofy, Mickey and Donald both get "hitched." Mickey marries Miney (sp?) and Donald marries Daisey. This seems sort of stupid that I'm writing about cartoon characters love life, I'm sure!

Mickey marries a mouse, Donald marries a duck. But who does Goofy get? This is where Disney puts their trashy message into the show. Goofy, being a dog, falls in love for Clarabelle, a cow. Am I the only one who finds this weird???? The dog falls in love with a COW! Not only is this NOT natural, it also makes Goofy lose a lot of respect from me.

It is sick how they cleverly interweave this sort of stuff into movies aimed for kids who don't know any better. In all honesty, I don't care if a move director makes a movie full of bad theology and aims it for the older audience. Why? Because it's not aimed for kids who have no way to separate what's true and false. Kids are just going to believe what they're told.

If they are told it's all right for a cow to marry a dog, then they will probably think that unless someone sets them straight! There is only one little kid movie that I have seen this week that hasn't been pushing the homosexual agenda...and that was Snow White. I'm living in a TLF, so believe me, I've seen a lot of movies!

Why is it that they make their agenda so blatant in little kids movies? Because they are easy prey.

I know this is sort of a long rant. It just really makes me mad how this generation has had their minds washed. I'll try to keep rants like this to a minimum, I promise!

Quick Update

2009-09-02T20:39:00.003+09:00

There hasn't been much to report.

The weather has been really rainy these last few days, but today was real nice and sunny. I'm starting to need to wear my coat, there's a chill in the air. This may have something to do with living in Texas for the last 4 years. (G)

The library has been closed for renovations these last couple pf days and so I've done school at the TLF, sealed in Arielle's bedroom so I don't wake up Dad on the other side of the TLF. He's been working night shifts and sleeping during the day.

I like the school load I have right now; I sort of wish I could keep it this light all year round, but that won't get me in college, so no. The show must go on! I've been working on Kanji. This is harder than you may think! I'm starting to pick up some words and stuff, and this is only the third day! I saw a yen today and was able to read the Kanji on it that said, "Japan," and "10 yen."

School

2009-08-31T21:22:00.005+09:00

We started school today. Because we are in TLF's and all of our household belongings are in boxes, we are sort of limited to what we can do. Friends from the States are sending math and science for me. We have stuff to start working on Japanese culture, and we still have our language Cd's so we can learn Japanese. I have a book on Kanji that I'm trying to learn...so far I can draw 1-10 in Kanji, that's a start! I was going to say spell, but it's more of drawing!

Dad is working a night shift and so we needed to stay out of the TLF.

Here we are outside of our door...tired, dazed, sort of confused...yep that's me in the morning!
I'm really tired, so I'm not really smiling in a lot of these...I tried though!

We went to the library to get books. Then we went to the Weasels Den. This is a inside park here on base...it seems appropriate to name a joint for kids The Weasels Den...but it's named for some airplane.

The Tree House in the Weasels Den

It was to noisy at the Weasels Den, so I walked back to the library to get some work done. I got a lot done. There really isn't much that I can get distracted with while at the library. That was something i always had trouble with in TX. so many shiny things on my desk to look at!

We got dinner and then I went back to the library.

Our house again!

2009-08-30T20:52:00.000+09:00

We went to the house again. It's about 4 miles from the side gate, but it takes about 15 minutes to drive to it...the traffic is very slow. The fastest I've seen the speed limit is about 70 KM....the only place you drive that slow in the States is Oregon. Texas speed limits vs Japanese speed limits...hmmm, let's go with the 80 mph!

The field behind the house had been plowed. I hope it isn't more houses going up. I'm hoping the farmer is going to plant some cabbages or something!

The ride fields (I give up trying to spell what they are called!) at the opposite end of the street from us.

It is the most beautiful place I've ever seen

This is us on the "back porch"

This will be the kitchen/dining room

It has everything I want...wide open fields, mountains, trees, and snow in the winter!

This has nothing to do with the house, but I need to say it! Riding shot-gun on the left side of the road is one of the scariest things I've ever done! The roads are tight and there isn't very many places to go. There isn't a shoulder, and it will cost you everything you are worth if you drive into the farmers crops. It seems like everything is going to smash into you. Every time you take a turn it feels like you're going to crash into the curb. I'm sure the driver feels the same on the right side with all of the traffic! I'm not sure I want to learn to drive here....we'll see.

The Park

2009-08-27T22:43:00.000+09:00

On the same day that we went to the Sukiyas, the Japanese restaurant, we went to the park. The errands that I mentioned was trying to get cell phones for Mom and I and putting down money for a house for some people coming into town in Sept.

These guys are up there trimming the trees with little, little, clipping sheers

We found a park right outside the man gate

She's so cute!

It's the same one we went to earlier in the week...the one with the zip line

2009-08-27T22:42:00.001+09:00