Japan Meets the Parents - Final Day

We woke up yesterday morning and headed off to church in Numazu. We had a nice service and everyone was very excited to meet mom and dad. I think they enjoyed the service although they didn't understand anything. Fortunately we had our English version of the sermon sheet to follow during the sermon. At the end of the service it is usually customary there for the guests to say a few words, so dad got to talk with somebody translating for him. He did good! After church we had the family lunch where we got to eat some good curry and talk with everybody. The people asked mom and dad a lot of questions and dad, of course, went on to tell everyone that Kelly and I are singers which led to us singing part of "As the Deer" for everyone. I forgave him. :) But now I might have to lead some songs in English next week.

After that we went back to Fuji. It poured down rain all day so we didn't do much. We walked to the sweets shop aorund the corner and had Don Don for dinner again. Most of the evening was spent talking and packing.

This morning I had to go to work, so I got up a little earlier than normal to make sure everything was in order. We said our goodbyes and they filmed me as I rode my bike off to work. Kelly got them in a taxi a little later and sent them on their way to Shin-Fuji station. They are currently (I hope) on a bus that will take them all the way back to the airport (a 4-5 hour ride.) Their plane leaves at around 6 and gets back to the states a few hours earlier (it's like LOST - Time Travel!)

Mom and Dad - it was really great having you here. I'm so glad you got to come and see our life here and meet some of the people we spend our time with. I hope you gained something from the very different experience and that you will remember your time here for a long time. There is so much to see in Japan that you didn't get to see, but I hope you enjoyed what you did see. We love you!

Well, I'm at work now and there is certainly not much going on. I actually just walked away from the computer for a few minutes because a TV was turned on to watch Japan finish off the USA in the World Baseball Classic. I watched despite the fact that I was going for the US. Oh well. I'll go for Japan in the final. I wouldn't be surprised if the whole game is on in here tomorrow. That would be a nice way to get paid.

Day 7 and 8 - Traveling Around

I worked on Thursday and we didn't do much that night so there's not much to tell for that day.

Friday was a national holiday here (Vernal Equinox Day) so Kelly and I didn't have to work. So we all waited out the rain in the morning and then headed in the afternoon to Shiraito Falls in Fujinomiya. It turned out to be a pretty nice day although a bit cool and we walked around and took a bunch of pictures and looked in the shops. This is the same waterfalls that we went to back in August and put pictures of on Flickr. We had fun and once the wind blew away the clouds we got an amazing view of Mt. Fuji. I'm sure there are pictures of that and the other sights but we haven't gotten around to them so I've got nothing for you right now.

That night we took mom and dad to one of our favorite restaurants (because all we do is eat apparently,) Namaskar. This is the Indian curry restaurant. We all got curry and naan and ate until we were pretty miserable. That's one thing I've noticed about this past week. I guess it's just that we have been wanting to take them to all of our favorite places, but we have been eating like crazy all week. I'm going to have to hit the running trails this next week.

Saturday we took a day trip to Kamakura which is a town in Kanagawa prefecture that is famous for having a ton of temples as well as an extremely large Buddha statue. We walked all around the town there and saw several temples, ate ramen, and saw the big Buddha. Many pictures were snapped, same story as above. But here are a few I took with my iPhone.







We were all pretty tired and our feet hurt when we got back from Kamakura, so we didn't do much for dinner. We had Mos Burger again and another crepe from Orange Pot and then went home.

I really enjoyed some of the things in Kamakura because it was really cool to see things that were built so long ago. I think sometimes I don't focus on that factor enough, and I was glad I took a moment to imagine what it might have been like long ago. Sometimes I get into history. Maybe I'll read up on Japanese history a bit more.

Only a few more days. I hope they've enjoyed their visit. They seem like they have. I know we're all tired enough. Last post of the visit to come tomorrow.

Day 5 - Visit to Yoshiwara High School

Wednesday was an exciting day because I took mom and dad up to my school to see where I work and to tour the school and meet some students and teachers. We took a cab there because that's the easiest way. Didn't think they'd want to ride bikes all the way like I always do.

When we got there we were greeted immediately by both vice principals and the principal. The vice principal told me they had made an announcement that morning to tell everyone we were coming. We put on our indoor shoes. I, of course got to wear my regular indoor shoes but they got to put on some of the school's slippers. They were too big for my mom and too small for my dad, but they survived. We went up to the teachers room and met some teachers up there. I showed them my desk and we looked around a bit. We went up to the LL (Language Lab) room which is where I teach several classes, and I showed them some of the not-so-high-tech things we have in there. While we were in there, some students came in and got to meet mom and dad. They introduced themselves in English and did very well I thought. We had a pretty simple conversation and I'm sure they could not wait to get out of there. Our students often enjoy trying to speak English with me and Andrea but they get a little freaked out whenever someone else shows up. But I was proud of them nonetheless.

After the LL, we went to the library and looked around in there. My mom also presented the librarians with a book about Texas with lots of pictures. They were very happy and looked through the book as soon as they opened it. I told them in Japanese that my mom is a librarian too which they found very interesting. They even took the book and put it on display at the front of the library so everybody can see it when they come in which I thought was very nice. It was a nice cultural exchange moment. :)

Finally, we walked over to another building on campus where we attended a Koto concert by our Koto club. It was a small room and a small concert, but the girls were absolutely amazing. I had never heard a Koto played in person before and the things they were able to do with it was quite impressive. I'd like to go again sometime. They had a quiz during the intermission/tea time of the concert where they asked various questions. They even asked some questions about the U.S. (who is the president?, where is the Statue of Liberty?) Both mom and dad answered a question right and won a prize. All in all it was very enjoyable. The lady in charge of the Koto club was very funny and friendly and did a good job of making the foreign guests (mom, dad, myself, Andrea, and her friend Tammy) feel welcome.

After the concert and a final look at the school we walked to the public library where I checked out some books and then went home. We had dinner at an izakaya called Watami and had some crepes for dessert at the Orange Pot. Finally we went back home and did the usual, sat around full until we all got too tired and went to bed.

Kelly and I both had to work today so nothing exciting happened with us. Mom and Dad did some exploring apparently but didn't venture too far from home. Tomorrow (Friday) is a national holiday and the plan is to go to Kamakura. Details to come after the trip.

Here are a few pictures of the Koto concert on Flickr. There are students in the pictures so they're only available to Flickr friends and family so if you're not one yet, get a Flickr account and add us.

Japan Meets the Parents, Day 3 and 4

Monday we took mom and dad around Fuji and showed off some of the places we like to frequent. First on the schedule was Espot, our usual grocery store. We walked down every aisle and showed all of the things in Japanese and different foods that you don't see at American grocery stores. They were especially intrigued by the giant whole fish and the octopus that was wrapped up like any of the other meats in the store. I think they even took a picture of that, which will probably show up on my mom's Flickr soon.

After Espot, I called a cab and we went to our favorite ramen restaurant, Bankara Ramen, for lunch. It was good as usual and they both did very well eating noodles with their chopsticks. After that, we went to Aeon (and strangely had the same taxi driver as before) and showed them all around our mall. We went from store to store and bought a few things, had Baskin Robbins, and shopped some more. We also saw these shirts hanging at the Hawaiian shop which we thought were pretty funny:


Photo courtesy of Kelly

After all the shopping and Kelly's required Starbucks visit, we went back home, ordered pizza, and all vegged out for the rest of the night.

Today (Tuesday) Kelly had to work but the folks and I took a trip to Shizuoka City to see the sights there. We spent a bit of time shopping in one of the train department stores (which are huge) and then ventured out into the city. It was tough trying to be a tour guide for a city I don't really know much about, but we managed to find a good Tonkatsu restaurant for lunch and then got on the correct bus to take us to the Sengen Shrine in town. This shrine is actually three shrines in the same location and it was very beautiful. We walked all around and took lots of pictures. We were even able to see some of a ceremony going on inside one of them. After looking at all the shrines, we decided to hike up the mountain that was behind the place. It was a bit of a tough climb (no Mt. Fuji, mind you,) but we managed to make it to the top and see a wonderful view of the city with Mt. Fuji in the distance. There was also a Buddha statue at the top to commemorate the victims of a bombing during WWII. It was a nice scene all around. I even managed to have a pretty decent conversation in Japanese with some people while we stopped to take a break. I did however, confuse the lady into thinking that I was in high school somehow. I told her I live in Fuji and she said something about college. I failed to remember that I had not mentioned that I was a teacher before saying the name of my school. She looked at me confused and asked in English, "How old are you?" I then realized my mistake and quickly said "Eigo kyoushi desu. Gakusei janai." (I'm an English teacher. Not a student.) The climb back down was easier and we got back on the bus and back to the station, bought a few things and headed back to Fuji. Before going home we stopped and had Mos Burger. I had a melon soda with my meal because it was St. Patrick's Day. Actually I just had it because I like it, but mom was quick to point out that the extreme greenness of my drink was perfect for the day. Finally we headed home with sore feet and legs and have been lazy ever since.

I took a lot of pictures with the Nikon which we'll get on Flick later, but I did take this picture with my iPhone which I have to share. It's a little blurry because I was trying to take it in hurry, but you can get an idea of the situation. This happens on the trains a lot, but I thought it was hilarious that it happened to my dad.

Japan meets the parents, Day 2 - Festival Time

We all packed up Sunday afternoon and went to a festival in Fujinomiya. It couldn't have been a more perfect day. It was sunny and cool but not cold. Not many clouds in the sky and Mt. Fuji was looking wonderful and clear. There were a ton of people there and we met up with some friends and found a spot to lay down some blankets and enjoy some good company. Dad and I went on a mission when we first got there to get some food for everyone. The lines were pretty long so we ended up just getting about 8 yakitori and taking them back to appease the hungry mouths. Mom and Dad got to meet all of our closest friends and see who we spend the majority of our time with. Caspian even got to come! He didn't enjoy the ride in his bag on the train or the bus but was very happy to get to come along. He sat very nicely in Kelly's lap and of course had several children come to see him with the usual exclamation of "Kawaii!" All in all, it was a fun outing and a good chance to relax and enjoy a beautiful Sunday afternoon.

Pictures on Flickr!

Unfortunately our camera was running out of battery so we didn't get many pictures. :( Our bad.

We were all pretty tired after the festival so for dinner we had Don Don and all retired early.

The parents seem to be enjoying their time so far. We're all kind of wearing each other out though. None of us are used to this much activity I think. And it hasn't really begun yet. Monday's post to come soon.

Japan meets the parents, Day 1

We've just about finished mom and dad's first full day in Japan. We did basically what we do on a normal Saturday: sit around, eat, sit around, sleep, sit around, eat, and sit around. And it won't be long before we go back to sleep. But it's been a fun day. It's good to have them here and doing some of our usual stuff. This was the official jetlag recovery day before we start doing a bit more traveling around after this. Here are some pictures:

Eating sushi at Kappa, the conveyor belt sushi restaurant. First real sushi experience for both. They did well!


Sleepily lounging in the living room after eating yakiniku (grill your own meat.)


And this is from last night, in Shinagawa on our way back from the airport. Their first meal in Japan.


We'll be putting some pictures up on Flickr too so check those out!

Trek to the airport

Well I'm about to leave in about an hour to go pick up my parents from the airport. I'm taking the local lines to get there to save money and then we're taking the shinkansen back to Fuji. Mom has been very excited about riding the shink so it should be fun.

We're looking forward to a fun week of being tour guides and giving my parents a bit of a taste of our life in Japan. I have some ideas of what we're going to do but a lot of stuff we'll just see what happens. We'll definitely be eating a lot of our favorite foods. :)

I'll post some updates through the week of how they're enjoying their stay.

Graduation

Well for the first time since I stopped waiting tables, I had to work on Sunday today. Today was graduation for the third year students. It was a very nice ceremony, extremely different from American high school graduations. There were definitely no beach balls or fog horns at this graduation. It was very structured and well-rehearsed.

The structure of the basic diploma handing out was this: There are 6 homerooms in each grade (at my school.) Each 3rd year homeroom teacher went up to the microphone and called out each of their students names one at a time and the student responded to their name with a loud "Hai!" (That means yes, of course.) At the end of each homeroom's names, the head student of that class went up to the stage and received the diplomas for their class. So there was no walking across the stage by each student. After all of the students names were called, there were a few speeches. One by the principal, one by the PTA head, and a few by some students. When everything was finished, the students all walked out while all of us teachers stood in a line and applauded for them. Many of them gave their homeroom teachers high fives as they walked by and several teachers and younger students cried, of course. It was a nice ceremony but a bit too cold in the gym. That's to be expected though. I was also very pleased to hear the normal graduation song being played as the students entered the gym. It gave me some sense of reality. And our band is very good. Small, but good.

I spent the afternoon signing graduated students' yearbooks, many of whom I never taught but wanted to talk to me and have English written in their yearbook. I wrote the same thing for pretty much everyone:

Congratulations!
I am very happy for you.
I enjoyed having you in class. (if I had them in class)
Good luck and have fun!
See you!
--Kory コーリー　(that's my name in Katakana)

I also had several students take pictures with me, which is always fun.

So all in all it was an easy day despite the fact that I was at work on a Sunday. So I'm one day into my six day work week. No classes this week. Just a lot of test grading as this week is exam week. We also have junior high entrance exams to grade this week for the students who are trying to get into our school for the new school year. I'm assuming I'll be grading the English part. I hope.