Happy Obama Day!

I heard about a book of kids letters written to President Obama tonight on NPRs This American Life podcast. It's called "Thanks and Have Fun Running the Country."

Here are some great excerpts that make me smile:

Dear President Obama,
Could you help my family to get housecleaning jobs? I hope you will be a great president. If I were president, I would help all nations, even Hawaii. President Obama, I think you could help the world.
Chad Timsing, age 9, Los Angeles

I really hope you put America back together. No pressure though.
Sheenie Shannon Yip, age 13, Seattle

1. Fly to the White House in a helicopter. 2. Walk in. 3. Wipe feet. 4. Walk to the Oval Office. 5. Sit down in a chair. 6. Put hand sanitizer on hands. 7. Enjoy moment. 8. Get up. 9. Get in car. 10. Go to the dog pound.
Chandler Browne, age 12, Chicago

Dear President Obama,
When you are president, don't eat junk food. Junk food makes you fat. Your family shouldn't eat junk food, either, because it is not healthy. Obama, you rock.
Amy Ramirez, age 8, San Francisco

President Obama,
You should not smoke when you are president! There are simple reasons. Because you will die by smoking, and then you will not be president! But I want you to be.
Your No. 1 fan,
David Lopez, age 7 Los Angeles

Dear President/Mr. Obama,
The best thing about living in the White House would be running around like a maniac. The thing I would like least is the work.
Holly Wong, age 9, San Francisco

screaming at the top of my lungs

I found this old note scribbled in a notepad:

Today I saw a little girl in a train station, about 4 or 5 years old, screaming at the top of her lungs. She didn't look angry or upset. Maybe she just liked the sound of her own voice rattling around the station's walls. Maybe she enjoyed the release of energy it gave her. Maybe it's because she had no sense of propriety and had no bounds to a social standard. I don't know. I found myself smiling at her and she immediately fell silent. And she just stared at me. Her freedom was gone at the notice of another.

I find myself in her. I want to be free-to find my voice and use it despite the stares of those around me.

This was written at the beginning of last spring after a long, hard winter. Here I am at the beginning of another winter. I hate winter. I hate what it does to me. I hate feeling listless and bored. and cold. and hungry all the time.

Last year I felt stifled by the constant staring. I think I'm over that, mostly. But, sadly I've moved on to another stage of just being annoyed with everything. Don't get me wrong, I'm living a completely comfortable life and am lacking nothing. It's my blog, I can whine, can't I? I depart from my usual optimistic self for the sake of my sanity. Please excuse me.

If I have to have one more "conversation" that includes the phrase "My hobbies are..." I'm gonna set my hair on fire. I'm so sick of surfacey relationships that are awkward and exhausting. I'm tired of standing around the same room with a smile pasted on my face waiting for someone to notice that I'm there. My heart breaks every Sunday morning when the funeral dirge begins and we sing the same songs that have no meaning to me.

The person who's supposed to be looking out for me at the church asked me for the first time ever, "So how are you doing?" and I couldn't truly answer that I feel like crap. How can I? I have no relationship with this man. Why do I want to start now? What's he gonna do with what I have to hand him? I don't trust him to handle me with care.

And now is the time I'm supposed to be thinking about a future in Japan. ! Really?

What's sad to me is that I've hid my true feelings of disappointment for so long that I'm afraid to post this. I'm afraid to broadcast that I'm lonely and don't really like what I'm doing. In fact, I'd say that I feel like some of what I do (totally ineffective Bible studies) is more of a hindrance to the gospel than a help. I'm afraid to say that my motives for coming to Japan had a lot less to do with Jesus and more to do with looking for an adventure.

Well, there it is. There's my crap. It's not pretty. And it's kind of scary to be transparent since I'm out of practice. It's been a long time since I've been able to really share myself with someone. There's a painful pressure building in my soul and I need to release it in some other way than watching hours of pirated internet movies.

Christmas/New Year's yasumi (break)

I'm finally at the tail end of a 2 week+ long cold that really kicked my butt. Somewhere in the there, I caved and went to the doctor. That was an experience. I've said it a million times: everything in Japan takes a long time. This was no different. I left the hospital about 5 hours after receiving an IV boost of vitamins and a handful of medicines. The most interesting part was inserting my new hospital ID card into what looked like an ATM machine and paying my portion of the bill. It was only around $20! I couldn't believe it. I love Japan's national health care system! To be honest, it was a hard Christmas this year. I felt the absence of my family like the big gaping hole that it was. Plan after plan was cancelled and re-adapted. I was beginning to feel like I was supposed to be alone on Christmas day. It was not pretty--the self pity was deep. Fortunately, Asako and Satoko spent the night with me on Christmas Eve and I surprised them with Christmas socks in the morning. They had to go to work that morning, but it was so nice to share that time with them. Their friendship continues to give me life.

Despite my cold, I was recruited at the last minute to be Mary in the church's nativity story. It was embarrassing to be the only one in the choir in costume. But, I got over it. These pictures make me laugh. I was going for the angelic look. How'd I do?

I took part in a couple of Japanese traditions for the New Year. At midnight on New Years Eve, my new friend Melissa and I watched the lights on the big bridge change colors. It wasn't nearly as exciting as I thought it would be, but still something special. Then, we went to the temple next to my apartment building and took pictures of everyone ringing the bells and saying their first prayers of 2009. A lot of people were buying new good luck charms and getting rid of the ones from last year. That was interesting to see. A priest waved a stick with a bunch of white paper hanging off the end over their bowed heads and said something. Then, they threw whatever they had into a pile to be burned later.

A thoughtful friend prepared an "Osechi" for me, which is a traditional New Years lunch box of all kinds of food with special meaning. I wrote a bit about it last year. A lot of it is fishy, and really, if I'm in the comfort of my own home, I'm not likely to eat it. So, I was happy when Asako came to my place and shared/ate the majority of the meal for me. I've yet to acquired the taste for these little guys...but I do try to every once in a while.

This was after a day of shopping for "fukubukuro" which are essentially grab bags of clearance items that wouldn't sell last year. Satoko and her friend spent the equivalent of my month's salary each (really!) in one store while Asako and I checked out the 100 yen shop next door. I got a new planner for 2009 and am deliriously excited about the possibilities for the empty spaces in that calendar. Oh what a dork I am!

This store was so crowded! I didn't even try to step in there.

There was some crazy head gear in this store!

Hot Potato Madness!

Sometimes a little bit of "controlled chaos" is in order. This is what made me laugh at one of my kids Christmas parties this week.

Thailand Day 3

Did I forget to mention that the reason we came to Bangkok was for the Asian Women's conference for the Church of God? We met some sweet women from India who greeted us with kisses on the cheeks. That's such a fun change from the formal and sometimes awkward greetings we have in Japan. These ladies were quick friends and have convinced us that our next trip needs to be to India.



During the conference, a dear new mother of the Faith, Darlene Stafford, talked about an attitude she adopted in her life a while ago. She and her late husband, Gil, call it the “Discipline of Anticipation.” They kept a joint journal where they would record “divine surprises” or instances where they knew God was active and present in their lives. At the end of this year and during this season of HOPE and anticipation, I wanted to reminisce with you all the ways that the Sacred has been near to me this year.
* The deadness of winter is always difficult for me, but every spring NEW LIFE always brings the reality of resurrection back to me. Seeing the sakura (cherry blossoms) this year was a magical time.
* Music has been a language that God has used to speak to me for a long time, but over this last year it’s been a lifeline as I’ve discovered new artists. 7 hours a week, my iPod has been my constant companion as I commute back and forth to Osaka for teaching. New voices who inspire me: Ingrid Michaelson, The Weepies, Mindy Smith, Jon Foreman and Glen Hansard.
* Over the summer, I visited with old HoneyRock friends. I loved sitting with these people with whom I have shared so much and comparing notes on the ways that God’s faithfulness has been evident. Canoeing with Andrea, Giordano’s pizza with the Havens and Meg, Hand and Foot with the Walfords. Good, good times!
* My friendships with Asako and Satoko have been llife giving this year. We plan to have a “slumber party” on Christmas Eve at my place where I will surprise them with Christmas stockings and we’ll read from Luke—just like my family does every year.
* I received a Christmas card this week from Pastor Uematsu and his wife that began: “Our dear Millie.” This relationship never ceases to surprise me as I continue to shake negative preconceptions I have.
* 3 American ladies have become really dear to me this year. Kendra and I have been meeting together weekly for prayer over Starbucks coffee. She’s an amazing sister who asks me hard questions and pushes me past apathy. Amber went back to her home in CA after a short 9 months of teaching in my town here. Our friendship has been so comfortable with many Saturdays of sleepovers and movie nights. I’m really going to miss her and Alina, who is also leaving before Christmas.

Thailand Day 2

This was an AMAZING day. Both of us agree: this day was a highlight.

We started early, early with a taxi ride to the floating market. We were the first customers of the day and it seemed as if the place had been reserved privately just for us. It was so dreamlike--the birds, the colors of the flowers and decor, the river. Everything was so....perfect. After we ate a breakfast of coconut milk and instant coffee (not so good), we headed on our way with our boat driver (another adorable Thai man). He pointed out his house on the bank of the river with pride. We took a short side tour of a coconut sugar farm. I bought some amazing tasting candy. We met the woman who climbs the trees (barefooted!) and retrieves the buckets with the sap.

Soon we met our first riverside seller. She had a long pole with a hook on the end that she used to bring our boat to her pier, even though we had no intention or desire to buy anything. She entertained us by showing us how the peeing monk works (you can barely see it below.) We couldn't stop laughing as his "pee" splattered all over Alina's legs! We got pretty tired from all of the sellers--especially after the boat ride when we decided to walk through the stalls on land. They're pretty aggressive. I paid way too much for a scarf that I found later in the week at a third of the price I paid. We learned how to bargain the hard way, I guess.

The elephant ride was expensive, but we decided it was worth it. Our "driver" was another sweet Thai man (we were smitten!). About half-way through the ride, he slid off "Faraday" (Alina named him) and took a TON of pictures with our cameras. The elephant walked through the water too. It was just a fun experience.

I love our laughter in this short video clip.

Thailand Day 1

Ok. I'm gonna try to get started on putting my thoughts together on Thailand.

Alina and I kept a joint journal of our time together. It was a fun idea. We have a lot of pages that are waiting to be filled with our future adventures together! India...??

As soon as we walked out of the airport's custom's doors, we saw a sea of people standing behind gates holding signs with people's names. Overwhelming! A tour guide didn't waste any time asking us if we needed a tour. Woah! Slow down! We just want to find our ride to the hotel.

We realized after finding the Thai lady who met us at the airport, that we are "babied" in Japan. She gave us just the bare essentials for information ("You'll take this taxi to the hotel," "This is how much it costs," "I'll see you tomorrow."). We were waiting for the itinerary for the night. What? What do we do tonight? Where do we eat? So many questions. We were so dazed, Japanese was slipping from our lips.

Japan is known as a "nanny society." This is evident by all the signs and announcements telling people to remember their "forgotten items." (Now, if I remembered them, they wouldn't be forgotten would they!) It was kind of a disturbing discovery for us to realize that we had become so dependent on people telling us what to do next. We spent the rest of the week shaking this stigma.

Yes, this is a Mexican restaurant! We decided to play it safe and go with something we were familiar with food-wise the first night. Unfortunately, we weren't yet familiar with the money and paid more for this meal than we would all week. Oh well! It was fun and the nachos were AMAZING!

I have NO upper body strength!

ok, ok...I know I'm way overdue in filling you in on the details of Thailand. I've been holding out for a really good, detailed post that would be MEATY and interesting rather than the junk that would flow from my fingertips at this point. So, if you promise to be patient, I'll come up with something good soon.

Until then, please enjoy this tasty morsel.

This is a typical Monday night with my junior high girls. It's really educational, I promise.
Our unit on "A Mexican Family" shows 2 men arm wrestling (not really sure why). I'm into experiential education. Here we are experiencing. Education. Well, after this night of humiliation (yes, I lost.), Mao told Yuna she must experience how PATHETICALLY WEAK their English teacher is. So...
(I LOVE Mao's face on the right!)

I am officially weaker than 2 junior high girls in Japan in arm wrestling. Now, leg wrestling... or bum wrestling.... WATCH OUT!

Yes We Can!

I was at the license branch today completing the last of many steps to get my official Japanese drivers license for my scooter. Crazy strict, let me tell you.
I was anxious to hear the news about the election because I knew the results would be revealed while I was there. I waited in line and listened the a stern office worker reprimand some young girls for chatting while he gave directions for how to sign our names on a form. My friend waited for me, watching the news on her cell phone. (Gotta love Japanese technology!) After I received my license (which has a TERRIBLE picture--quite possibly the worst hair day I've ever had and a weird closed mouth smile), my friend showed me her cell phone. Obama had just finished his acceptance speech. My friend heard part of it and told me that she cried a bit. She really latched on to the "Yes We Can!" chant.

Every Japanese person I've asked says they would vote for Obama if they could. I was watching a report on CNN the other night that said the same of Europeans. Personally, I'm excited about Obama being in the White House. I was reminded of the obvious as I watched the news tonight: We have voted in the FIRST black American into office! I heard a girl say "I'm proud to be an American again." I've surprised myself in the last few months by how interesting this election has become for me. Maybe its because so many of my students are interested and I don't want to seem like an apathetic, ignorant American.

Japan's Obama town celebrates namesake's victory

OBAMA, Japan - The Obama Girls were halfway through their routine when the results came in on overhead TVs.

Barack Obama had been elected US president, and the citizens of Obama, Japan, were ecstatic. Dozens of supporters swarmed the stage and joined hands, jumping up and down as they chanted "Obama! Obama! Obama!"

The Obama campaign brought an air of excitement to this normally sleepy seaside town. Local leaders, trying to revive the economy, latched onto the connection as a way to promote tourism. An "Obama for Obama" supporters group attracted 1,500 members.

And then there are the Obama Girls, a hula dance group formed in honor of Obama's Hawaiian heritage.

"This is great. I followed the election closely on TV. I'm hoping Obama can make the world more peaceful," said Akino Nakaoji, 34, still wearing a bright blue skirt and flowered lei necklace from her hula performance earlier in the day.

It was lunchtime Wednesday in Japan when the US election results came in.

"It was over so fast, I'm glad I got a chance to dance," said Satoru Wada, a 38-year-old male member of the hula squad, before heading back to work at a hotel.

Obama has a population of 32,000, smaller than the crowds the candidate drew at many of his US campaign stops.

While few along its quiet streets could name his policy proposals, his optimism and upbeat message of change resonates well here.

Obama, which means "little beach" in Japanese, is a former fishing town that now relies almost entirely on tourism. More than 500 years old, it boasts several ancient temples and a distinctive hand-painted lacquerware.

But the rustic town, wrapped around a stretch of sandy beach and surrounded by wooded hills, is not well-known, even among Japanese tourists.

So Obama's success has been a welcome boon.

The town has been featured repeatedly in the domestic and international media, and the number of visitors has increased 20 percent since it linked itself to the Obama campaign, said Shigeyoshi Takeda, who heads the city tourism bureau.

"We've had a lot more customers since the campaign, especially foreigners. We rarely had foreigners here before," said Atsuko Ikeda, 38, the cheery owner of a watering hole on the main shopping street.

Obama's mayor, Kouji Matsuzaki, himself won election with a campaign based on the English word "change." He said he plans to invite Obama to visit Obama.

The mastermind behind the "Obama for Obama" campaign, Seiji Fujiwara, is executive director of one of the town's largest hotels. He said the town has several business leaders with marketing experience that jumped on the opportunity.

"There are other towns named Obama in Japan, but we were the first to react," he said.

Town officials sent gifts and received an official letter from the campaign, signed "Your friend" in Japanese.

Fujiwara said the support group is already planning its future moves. Among them: Go to Washington for the inauguration in January and perform a hula dance. - AP

source: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/131535/Japans-Obama-town-celebrates-namesakes-victory