no point really, just rambling

I wonder how many hours I've watched people eating food on Japanese television? This occurred to me just a bit ago as I watched some celebrities eating super cheesy and creamy food that twists my belly into knots just to look at it. How are these people so slim?! Japanese TV has a flavor all it's own. Usually there's some type of drag queen tasting something meccha oishii(totally delicious) and plenty of overly enthusiastic audience reaction. If you run into me soon after I return from Japan in July, this sound may accidentally slip out of my lips. I've adopted some "strange" behaviors in the last 2 years that I've been here.

I'll be leaving this land that has become my home in less than 2 months. How am I feeling about that? Meg asked me today if my impending departure crosses my mind much. If my mind had visible tracks of how often this thought crosses my mind, it would look like those flight route maps that you see in the back of the in-flight magazines that you only read when you've run out of other things to do. The thought both thrills and terrifies me. I have safety here. I have a place to live, a comfortable income and a routine. I go home to a whole bucket full of unknowns and question marks. But, I also go home to people waiting to love on me and to whom I am anxious to return the favor. I have no idea what's up ahead around the corner. I have some ideas of what I'd like to happen, but we all know how this goes.

Mostly, I really just want to process what in the world I've been experiencing here. I know that I'll forever be harvesting the memories and the accompanying life lessons that the Lord has planted in my heart, but I do want to take the time to digest and not rush into the next thing too quickly. You can definitely be praying for this process to begin for me. I was totally overwhelmed with the small bit of packing that I started last Saturday. I have way too much stuff. All searches for apartments and jobs have been put on hold until I return home. It's just too much to handle right now.

The first of many farewell parties (there will be many!) starts this weekend. A group of my students is taking me for a picnic on Saturday. How painful is this going to be to say goodbye over and over again rather than just having one party when I can rip the band aid off at once? Well, it can't be helped; there's no other way to do it. It's time to say goodbye and to remember the faithfulness of the Lord over the last 2 years. I have a feeling this blog will become very sentimental and weepy over the next 2 months. Bring the tissues next time.

English is painful

my favorite moment of the night

Satoko's been studying English a lot lately and really trying to tackle the hard work of training her tongue to take on the "th" sound. It's a hard one for a lot of Japanese.

masked out

PANIC. This is the general feeling I'm getting around Kobe about the swine flu. The whole mask ridiculosity is spreading. I've heard so many outlandish stories from my students about the craziness that surrounds The Mask. All over the city, stores have sold out of masks in the flu flurry. One student noticed a group of people gathered near the train station, so she poked her head in to see what was up. A man was selling 1 mask for 500 yen (about 5 bucks)!! These are DISPOSABLE masks made from PAPER people! Every restaurant worker, convenience store clerk, bus driver and train station staff member is wearing The Mask. Announcements are being made in train stations, in stores and other public places to "please wear a mask." One student told me she wears it because of the strange looks from other people--almost a judgemental stare. Another student explained that she is being responsible in watching out for other people, wearing it for their protection. Some students regretted to inform me that they are taking on a "wait and see attitude" about a farewell party they were planning for me (I'm leaving in 2 months). They just don't know if it's wise to meet in a public place...

Are you noting the condescension in my words?! It's not a lovely attitude to take on, I admit it. But, come on, this is pretty insane, wouldn't you say?

By the way, after wearing my mask on Tuesday for a total of 4 hours, I've developed some type of minor allergic reaction and nasty pimples on my nose from the sweat. Apparently, some masks include a type of anti-bacterial chemical and my sensitive skin didn't handle it very well. ergh. Another reason I'm annoyed with the mask fiasco.

Here's a look at the many types of masks one can buy in Japan: http://www.letsjapan.markmode.com/index.php/2009/05/03/fashionable-flu-filtering-face-masks-from-japan/

watch out!

Back off, Swine Flu! I counted 8 out of 10 people standing in line for the train today wearing masks like this one. I've joined the herd since I spend about 7 hours a week on the train; that's a long time to be exposed to whatever is floating around in that small space with all those people. You see, Japan is a tiny bit smaller than the United States. I read once that Japan is the same size as California with about 4 times the amount of people. Meaning: there are a lot of people jammed in close quarters day in and day out. I've been pretty critical of the Japanese over-reaction to this "pig influenza" (as my students call it), not taking into full consideration how easy it is to pass along germs in this sardine can of a country. 2,000 schools around my prefecture have closed for the week. I noticed how eerily quiet the trains home tonight were, void of the noise of the highschoolers decked out in their uniforms. My baby English class has been cancelled this Friday and I'm wondering if I'll hear word of the same for my Thursday children's classes. This isn't a memory of Japan that I was expecting, but definitely a very unique one.

stinky

I've been trying to avoid news about American Idol since the airing of the show on Fox Japan is behind that of Fox in the US. But tonight, an article caught my eye about one of my favorite finalists, Danny Gokey. Here's the full article, if you care to read it. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1611245/20090512/story.jhtml

This is the section that really jumped out at me:

Do I want Gokey to win "American Idol"? No. Would I ever buy one of his albums? Probably not. But do I think he's a terrible person? Someone worthy of scorn or ridicule? Everything that's wrong with America? Most definitely not. Because he's taught me a little something about myself. He's exposed an ugly part of my subconscious that I really don't like. And so I'm working on it. I'm not going to hate on Danny Gokey anymore. It will make me a better person.

Because Danny Gokey is what's great about "American Idol." He is the opportunity to learn about ourselves, to grow and to come together as one. To cast aside age-old divides and forge a better tomorrow. He is unity and hope, in spectacles. He's already taught me a new way — and he can do the same thing for you. Embrace him, even if you don't want to. And even if he might be kind of a jerk. Or because he is.

I wasn't aware of any type of ridicule of him with me being this side of the Atlantic, but from the beginning his story held my attention. I imagine that the words of this article would be really encouraging to Danny. I know they would be for me. As the bearers of the Light of Christ, we should always be helping others to learn, to grow, to become that which God has intended them to be. But, being the aroma of Christ isn't easy. We stink it up big time for some people, and for others we are a breath of fresh air (2 Corinthians 2:14-16) . If someone said that I have "exposed an ugly part" of their souls, I would rejoice because this is the first step of transformation. How do we go about revealing those tender spots? With love and grace that's not our own. And from there, we stick it out with the person while those wounds are healed and overcome. What a priviledge it is to work along side the Holy Spirit in caring for the souls of others.

So, stink it up Danny! We love you in Japan!