Water Walking: the first year

This is the video I showed during the presentations I did over the summer. It covers my first year in Japan.

a stroll...

through the fish market in Akashi. You see and SMELL all kinds of things here!

I wrote about this same place the same time last year. This time, I remembered my camera. These are the dough balls with octopus in them. They're still doughy in the middle, so my favorite way to eat them is with the hot broth that finishes the cooking before you suck it down. They're piping HOT! Beware!

And, watch out for this fish lady. She won't take your sass!

frazzled no more

THANK YOU!!!! The prayers worked and I felt such a sense of relief and excitement today. After meeting with my new teacher, I feel encouraged by how much Japanese I already know and feel like I CAN ACTUALLY DO THIS!! Ganbattemasu!! I'll do my best!!

I also got my alien registration card straigtened out today. I was worried that I would be scolded about waiting too long to have taken care of the change of address (I should have done this in July!), but the lady seemed hesitant to make a big deal. This may have been because I was waiting for 25 minutes in the wrong section and she didn't see me. I'm thinking she was embarrassed to not have noticed me sooner and let me go without the proper talking to.

Now, I'm on to correct my next problem of driving with an expired International Drivers Permit. Lots of hoops to jump through.

I'm so thankful to be feeling the nearness of the Spirit of Christ right now. Thanks again for praying!

lost parrot

When Yosuke, a parrot, flew out of his cage and got lost, the little guy did exactly what he had been taught -- recites his name and address to a stranger willing to help.

Police rescued the African Gray parrot from a neighbor's roof in the city of Nagareyama, near Tokyo. After spending a night at the station, he was transferred to a nearby veterinary clinic, while police searched for clues.

“I tried to be friendly and talked to him, but he completely ignored me,” policeman Mr. Uemura said. The parrot kept mum with the cops, but began chatting with the veterinarian.

“I'm Mr. Yosuke Nakamura,” the bird told the vet. He also provided his full home address, down to the street number, and even entertained the clinic staff by singing songs.

“We checked the address, and what do you know, the Nakamura family really lived there. When we told them we had found Yosuke, they were elated,” Mr. Uemura said.

The Nakamura family had been teaching the bird its name and address for about two years, and they were very happy that it finally paid off!
Source: Internet News, 2008-05-26

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The reason I thought this article was good for my blog is because of Dai-chan. Let me tell you a story...

One of my students has a parrot who speaks Japanese. He sings Japanese. He YELLS Japanese.

One day, this studentwanted to take a picture of me with Dai-chan. She put him on the table and said "Don't touch. Only picture." Okay. I don't plan to cuddle with this bird; I'll just smile.

After this picture, he walked very slowly towards me, like he's checking me out--getting a feel for me. I'm an Indiana farm girl; I've been around animals all my life. I didn't back away. I should have. In a flash, he had his MASSIVE, SWORD-LIKE beak wrapped around the sensitive skin on the top of my hand. Just a few centimeters to the right and he would have cut open the big vein in my hand. I immediately started screaming IN JAPANESE (!!! not sure how this happened!). My student came to my rescue and got the bird away from me. Here's the apology email I received from her and Dai-chan after the incident:

Dear Millie

Hello!!

Thank you very much yesterday. And thank you today.
Today's tomato-soup was delicious.

You are busy really every day. Thank you.!!

Please enjoy a summer vacation from July 21. I hope so that a holiday in USA works as you cheerfully.
Looking forward to meet you who are cheerful in September.

Dai-chan said to Millie!! I am sorry to bite your hand. Is it your hand OK ? I love Millie very!!
Please come to meet me again.

Have a safe trip home!!

This is why my life in Japan is such a treasure. I can say this now that my hand isn't throbbing!

frazzled

Please pray. I'm feeling overwhelmed with anxiety tonight as I prepare to meet my new Japanese tutor tomorrow morning for the first time. I'm nervous. I'm thinking about how much work this is going to be and my lazy self is asking this motivated Millie, "Why did you sign up for this?"

Please pray that I make a good connection with this person. Pray that we can have fun. Pray for motivation. Pray for the loving and gentle presence of Christ to be present in our sessions. Pray that my brain will absorb something...anything.

Ramadan

I read this just now in the e-newsletter I receive from the director of global missions of the Church of God. Thought I'd pass it on to you:

"The month of Ramadan is coming to a close for the Islamic world. Faithful Muslims have been fasting during the day as many of them seek a closer walk with their God. The last 10 days of Ramadan is known as the 'Night of Power (or Destiny).' I have just received an e-newsletter from our friend, Fouad Masri. Fouad is the founder of Crescent Project that is located in Indianapolis. In it he states: Many Muslims have told me: On this night, the wall separating the physical and the spiritual realm is so thin that all prayers and supplications will surely be heard. Did you catch that? There is still a 'wall' Muslims recognize between God and themselves." Fouad asks us to pray for the Muslims especially at this time, and gives us three things to pray for:

- Pray diligently that many Muslims will have visions and dreams of Christ and His power.
-Some Muslims are earnestly seeking for God! Pray God will intervene in their lives and glorify His Messiah Jesus of Nazareth.
-Pray Joshua 29:13 for our Muslim friends:
"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

The same could be prayed for my dear friends here in Japan who are curious about faith in Jesus.

mind your manners

Yes! These are REAL posters that I've been seeing all over the train stations in Japan. (I didn't take these photos, but I have seen them.) They make me smile. I wish they made them in T-shirts!

prayer answered!!

You all know that I have been praying for a LONG time for a Japanese language plan to develop. It's happening!!

I found a place in downtown Kobe that offers FREE one-on-one tutoring with Japanese volunteers! I start next week. It's a 6-month commitment, which I think is the perfect amount of time to start. If I want to do it again, I have to wait 3 months to sign up.

This place has many opportunities for interactions with people of many different cultures. They also organize day trips too. So, next month, I'm hoping to tour the Glico factory. This is the company that makes Pretz and Pocky!

Thank you God for doing SOOOO much more than I could ask or imagine! My roots are reaching deeper and are getting stronger because of YOUR faithfulness!

Now, for the motivation to study hard!!

i hate my layout

I really need some help in making this blog nice (hint, hint Paul!!). I tried to tweak it tonight but I'm hopelessly lost. So, please forgive the mess.

The Invisible Woman

Even though I'm not a mom, this encouraged me this week.

old year book photos

Vote for your favorite

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scary how real these look!

Engrish funnies

I wish I had taken pictures of these, but the camera is never handy when I need it most.

"Virgin Grave"
this was the brand name of a necklace I found recently at a 100 Yen shop. Kendra's remarks: "Remind me not to buy this for my 40 year old friend who is still single." Good idea.

"Get in stars your eyes make soon"
This t-shirt slogan assures me that, as an English teacher in Japan, my job is secure.