Preaching tomorrow--please pray. I have this dry coughing thing going on that's really annoying.
FUNNY story! Did you know that Baskin Robbins in Japan is called "satay wan" (say it really fast and you'll understand why). Last night, one of my students took everyones order for their favorites, promising to bring a feast of ice cream next week from Baskin Robbins. My phantom gall bladder is crying for mercy even now! Anyway...during our Bible study section of the lesson, we were reading about the temptations of Jesus. We read about Satan tempting Jesus to turn the stone into bread. I asked my students, "What do you think it means that man cannot live on bread alone?" Right away, my comedian of the class, takes off her glasses and says with confidence "We need ice cream!" I could not stop laughing! YES, we need ice cream--but we sure couldn't live off of it 24/7! Believe me, I've tried it!
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
uhhhh. okay.
This is why I don't talk to other foreigners in the train stations: I've seen the same guy at the same station waiting for the same train as me for the last couple of months. For some reason, I always avoid having conversations with other foreigners. I'm not exactly sure why. I'd like to think that I'm a pretty friendly person and like talking with people.
Today, it couldn't be avoided. Before I knew it, I was standing in line right behind this guy. We got on the train and I started my move toward an open standing spot. I was cut off at the last minute and needed to move. Shoot. The only open spot is next to the foreigner. I sat down and bit the bullet. "I've seen you around here for a while," was my introduction. After some awkward "how-do-you-do's" I found out he's been living in Japan for the past 3 years. Okay, don't get me wrong. I really am interested in learning about other people and why they do what they do, but this was just SO awkard. I inquired about his Japanese ability. He said he does alright and then proceded to make a point in telling me that his JAPANESE girlfriend helps him in that department.
OKAY, buddy! I wasn't even going there. But thank you very much for putting me in my place.
AWKWARD!!!! I think I'm going to start riding in a different part of the train.
Today, it couldn't be avoided. Before I knew it, I was standing in line right behind this guy. We got on the train and I started my move toward an open standing spot. I was cut off at the last minute and needed to move. Shoot. The only open spot is next to the foreigner. I sat down and bit the bullet. "I've seen you around here for a while," was my introduction. After some awkward "how-do-you-do's" I found out he's been living in Japan for the past 3 years. Okay, don't get me wrong. I really am interested in learning about other people and why they do what they do, but this was just SO awkard. I inquired about his Japanese ability. He said he does alright and then proceded to make a point in telling me that his JAPANESE girlfriend helps him in that department.
OKAY, buddy! I wasn't even going there. But thank you very much for putting me in my place.
AWKWARD!!!! I think I'm going to start riding in a different part of the train.
A drip a day keeps the doc away
I read this article in the English newspaper I picked up on my way to work this morning. This article was so shocking to me. It did provide some good conversation in my English class. 
"Though a needle stuck in the arm might not be everybody's idea of a quick pick-me-up, time-pressured Tokyoites are flocking to a clinic in the capital's Ebisu district to receive IV drips that promise rapid rejuvenation.
Yebisu Garden Place Clinic is located on the fourth floor of the Yebisu Garden Place Tower building, which houses many foreign capital firms.
What is unusual about the clinic, which mainly offers internal treatment, is a corner in it where patients are put on a variety of intravenous drips, including one designed to enable users to recover from fatigue and one formulated for beauty care purposes.
In the refined, cafelike space, businesspeople can take a short break hooked up to an IV as casually as they might enjoy a cup of coffee after lunch.
In the space, named Tenteki10 (drip 10), drips are administered in just 10 minutes. The clinic opened the space in April by remodeling one corner on the floor. Four chairs are placed wide apart in front of the counter, where patients put out their arms to receive the drips.
Those who visit the clinic for drips enter the corner through a different door from the one used by other patients.
At first, a patient has an interview with a doctor. Sitting face-to-face with a patient, the doctor asks about the patient's physical condition and allergy histories. If no problem is recognized, the patient is taken to the counter, where a nurse will ask the patient to choose a drip.
"Which menu item would you like to have today?" a nurse asked with a smile as she handed me the list of drip choices.
The basic course offers a drip of 50cc glucose solution fortified with vitamins for 2,000 yen. The course can be supplemented with options including a "comprehensive beauty care" treatment for 3,500 yen, "fatigue recovery" and "cosmetic whitener" treatments, each costing 3,000 yen, and "energizing" and "detoxification" treatments for 2,500 yen each.
Although this may sound a little expensive, it is not unreasonable considering that the service is not covered by health insurance.
As an option, I picked the "comprehensive beauty care" one, which is designed to generate collagen and get rid of pimples, according to the descriptions of the individual course's effects. Upon my request, the nurse took out an ampule and blended it with the basic drip. The transparent fluid instantly turned a vivid orange.
Finally, it was time to receive the drip. When the needle was stuck into my vein, the orange-colored fluid started dripping through the tube rhythmically.
Before long, I noticed a garlicky taste gradually spreading in my mouth.
"Don't worry--it's caused by a vitamin B group substance," the nurse said.
It took about 10 minutes until the drip was completed. When I looked into the mirror, my skin seemed fresher than before I received the drip.
Recently, an increasing number of people reportedly are visiting medical institutions for drips even if they are not really sick, with some of them saying, "I'm tired--would you give me a drip?"
The clinic's director, Ryuji Yasumura, 50, believes that the stresses of modern life are behind the service's popularity. "I guess many people suffer chronic fatigue and mental stress from the performance-based system in the current corporate society."
About 30 to 40 people visit the clinic for drips each day. On Fridays, people often have to wait in line, according to the clinic.
Sitting next to me, a neatly dressed businessman in his 40s was put on a drip he said chose to help him recover from fatigue.
"I enjoy playing soccer on weekends," he said. "My fatigue is gone after I come here, and I don't have any trouble attending an early-morning meeting."
When the drip bottle was emptied and a nurse removed the needle from his arm, he retied his tie as if showing his resolve to make a fresh start. He looked exactly like Kosaku Shima (a manga hero for businessmen).
For those in the rat race, a pain in the arm may offer temporary relief. But aren't they overdoing things a bit?"
(May. 27, 2008, source: The Daily Yomiuri, by Haruka Takahashi)
"Though a needle stuck in the arm might not be everybody's idea of a quick pick-me-up, time-pressured Tokyoites are flocking to a clinic in the capital's Ebisu district to receive IV drips that promise rapid rejuvenation.Yebisu Garden Place Clinic is located on the fourth floor of the Yebisu Garden Place Tower building, which houses many foreign capital firms.
What is unusual about the clinic, which mainly offers internal treatment, is a corner in it where patients are put on a variety of intravenous drips, including one designed to enable users to recover from fatigue and one formulated for beauty care purposes.
In the refined, cafelike space, businesspeople can take a short break hooked up to an IV as casually as they might enjoy a cup of coffee after lunch.
In the space, named Tenteki10 (drip 10), drips are administered in just 10 minutes. The clinic opened the space in April by remodeling one corner on the floor. Four chairs are placed wide apart in front of the counter, where patients put out their arms to receive the drips.
Those who visit the clinic for drips enter the corner through a different door from the one used by other patients.
At first, a patient has an interview with a doctor. Sitting face-to-face with a patient, the doctor asks about the patient's physical condition and allergy histories. If no problem is recognized, the patient is taken to the counter, where a nurse will ask the patient to choose a drip.
"Which menu item would you like to have today?" a nurse asked with a smile as she handed me the list of drip choices.
The basic course offers a drip of 50cc glucose solution fortified with vitamins for 2,000 yen. The course can be supplemented with options including a "comprehensive beauty care" treatment for 3,500 yen, "fatigue recovery" and "cosmetic whitener" treatments, each costing 3,000 yen, and "energizing" and "detoxification" treatments for 2,500 yen each.
Although this may sound a little expensive, it is not unreasonable considering that the service is not covered by health insurance.
As an option, I picked the "comprehensive beauty care" one, which is designed to generate collagen and get rid of pimples, according to the descriptions of the individual course's effects. Upon my request, the nurse took out an ampule and blended it with the basic drip. The transparent fluid instantly turned a vivid orange.
Finally, it was time to receive the drip. When the needle was stuck into my vein, the orange-colored fluid started dripping through the tube rhythmically.
Before long, I noticed a garlicky taste gradually spreading in my mouth.
"Don't worry--it's caused by a vitamin B group substance," the nurse said.
It took about 10 minutes until the drip was completed. When I looked into the mirror, my skin seemed fresher than before I received the drip.
Recently, an increasing number of people reportedly are visiting medical institutions for drips even if they are not really sick, with some of them saying, "I'm tired--would you give me a drip?"
The clinic's director, Ryuji Yasumura, 50, believes that the stresses of modern life are behind the service's popularity. "I guess many people suffer chronic fatigue and mental stress from the performance-based system in the current corporate society."
About 30 to 40 people visit the clinic for drips each day. On Fridays, people often have to wait in line, according to the clinic.
Sitting next to me, a neatly dressed businessman in his 40s was put on a drip he said chose to help him recover from fatigue.
"I enjoy playing soccer on weekends," he said. "My fatigue is gone after I come here, and I don't have any trouble attending an early-morning meeting."
When the drip bottle was emptied and a nurse removed the needle from his arm, he retied his tie as if showing his resolve to make a fresh start. He looked exactly like Kosaku Shima (a manga hero for businessmen).
For those in the rat race, a pain in the arm may offer temporary relief. But aren't they overdoing things a bit?"
(May. 27, 2008, source: The Daily Yomiuri, by Haruka Takahashi)
Friday, May 23, 2008
LOST Church of God
I noticed something very interesting today about the logo of the denomination I am serving with in Japan. 
Does this look familiar to anyone? Did D.S. Warner have something to do with the Dharma intiative? Is Ben Linus working for Warner? I'm forming some new theories....
Does this look familiar to anyone? Did D.S. Warner have something to do with the Dharma intiative? Is Ben Linus working for Warner? I'm forming some new theories....
Monday, May 19, 2008
japanese version of The Office (SNL)
feeling a little under the weather today, but this made me laugh. I watched it around 10 times!
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Mum's Day
After procrastinating for weeks, I finally got my Mom's package in the mail (a day AFTER mother's day!) For my church's Halleluia Kids program, I led a simple 15 minute craft that turned out pretty nice. I found an idea on the internet and went searching for tissue paper at the 100 yen store, only to discover that they had an entire kit with the EXACT supplies I needed! All for 100 yen. It's a tissue paper flower attached to a pen with cute tape. LOVE IT! 
One of the girls added a special flare to hers by cutting the ends of the tissue paper fan into points. It looked way cooler than mine and I tried to communicate to her that I liked her different style. Unfortunately the word for wrong and different are the same in Japanese and this seemed to confuse her a little bit. Still bumbling along... Oh well.
another new friend
I met a new friend recently in the local home center store near my house. Ryoko found the courage to approach me and practice her English. I'm so happy she did! Yesterday, I spent the afternoon at her house talking about so many different things. We didn't run out of things to say for 7 hours! I discovered that she was using this blog as her English "textbook"! A little bit embarrassing, but hey, why have a blog if you're not willing to have people read and interact with what you write?
Ryoko recently went to the Sweets Expo at Himeji Castle. I heard from other people that they waited in line for 3 hours before they saw one display, but Ryoko had no complaints to share--only these beautiful and amazing pictures. Keep in mind that these are made entirely of sugary goodness! Amazing!
Friday, May 02, 2008
fun english
Here are some fun English pictures I took this week.
This is the package for some plastic toy spiders I got for my English students. I'm fond of the instructions for choosing the proper persons to play with the spiders.
This is a sign I saw at a restaurant in Kobe the other day in a part of town where a lot of foreigners live. I suppose if you are confused by the top four offerings, you can always just have "food."
first enemy sighting of the spring
These creepy crawlies have returned with the warmer weather. I was hoping that the raking I did in the winter would clear them out, but I guess I can't avoid them totally. After killing this one tonight, I still feel like I have something crawling on me. YUCK. I love nature, but recently it's been getting too close for my comfort.
Monday, April 28, 2008
a fun day
Last Sunday, I spent the afternoon hanging out with some Japanese teenagers and my new friend Amber. She's teaching English in Tarumi too, but at a different church. She just moved here about a month ago and we are both thanking God for answering our prayers for friendship.
These girls were so much fun to be with. They both love speaking English. When we met up with Saori, she said "I'm so exciting!" This common English mistake makes me smile every time!
We went to the aquarium where I saw the biggest stingray in my entire life. At the dolphin show, I was impressed yet again with Japanese ingenuity. The first 4 rows of benches were a blue color, so we figured out those were the seats to sit in if we wanted to get splashed by the dolphins. This aquarium took it another step and offered people in those seats plastic tarps to protect themselves from the water. I think I was more entertained by watching the people duck for cover.
Another Japanese concept that would be a great idea to have in the States: Purikura. These are photos booths on crack. Seriously. Remember those old black and white strips with 4 or 5 photos? This takes that concept to the extreme. Computer technology never ceases to amaze me. After you take your pictures in the booth, you go to the computer screen and decorate your photos. It's hard to explain; maybe I'll take you on a video tour sometime. Or better yet, come to Japan and experience it with me! :)
These girls were so much fun to be with. They both love speaking English. When we met up with Saori, she said "I'm so exciting!" This common English mistake makes me smile every time!
We went to the aquarium where I saw the biggest stingray in my entire life. At the dolphin show, I was impressed yet again with Japanese ingenuity. The first 4 rows of benches were a blue color, so we figured out those were the seats to sit in if we wanted to get splashed by the dolphins. This aquarium took it another step and offered people in those seats plastic tarps to protect themselves from the water. I think I was more entertained by watching the people duck for cover.
Another Japanese concept that would be a great idea to have in the States: Purikura. These are photos booths on crack. Seriously. Remember those old black and white strips with 4 or 5 photos? This takes that concept to the extreme. Computer technology never ceases to amaze me. After you take your pictures in the booth, you go to the computer screen and decorate your photos. It's hard to explain; maybe I'll take you on a video tour sometime. Or better yet, come to Japan and experience it with me! :)
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