Thursday, August 11th: The last day :)

Our last day.  WOOT!  It was a slow day with only 9 kids and 2 teachers we haven't worked with much, but still a pretty good day :)  Morning playtime was spent singing "Who is the King of the Jungle" over and OVER and OVER again!  We didn't even use the recording or do the dance....the kids just sang bits and peaces of it, sounding like a broken record.  But they absolutely love it :) Oh, the power of music!

Origami throwing star up the
nose...cuz honestly, where else
would it belong?

During water games, I played with the kids that were supposed to stay dry....emphasis on the supposed to.  They had lots of fun covering Emely Sensei's lap with water using my bottle.  Which then turned in pouring the water all over their shorts...oops.  It was still fun!

My last obento lunch in Japan!
I was way more excited than
Hana chan was...but then again,
she was eating ketchup on rice
and tamago (egg) so I don't
blame her for that face.

A post-naptime sleepy
version of Toshiya kun:)

Lin Sensei and Aika chan reading together!
They have the same Japanese reading level,
but Aika chan can actually understand it :)

Kanami chan conducting with her
Japanese peace signs

Aika chan and Lin Sensei...this girl
has loved Madelyn from day one :)
She sometimes wears a paper watch
she made so she matches Madelyn!

Kento kun, Emely Sensei, Haruka chan,
and Aika chan :) The kids LOVE getting
their picture taken, but they don't
understand the concept of smiling
and looking at the camera.

One of the teachers taught the kids to make an origami inu (dog).  Japanese dogs go "wan wan" instead of barking like American dogs.  So yeah, I wanted a picture of one...but when you take a picture of one inu....everybody's inu needs a picture:

Aika chan

Noriya kun (his dogs ears
look more like a beard and
flop upward apparently)

Toshiya kun...his dog was
abstract looking :)

 

Bratty girl's dog.



Last time clocking out!
(gotta love the post-work hair)

Tonight we went out to dinner with Minako, Dr. Shin, and his wife Keiko Nishimura.  They took us to eat Tonkatsu which is basically fried pork.  It was pretty good :)  Apparently it's a "win" food, which I translated to meaning it brings good luck.  People eat it before important sports events and exams to help them to do better...we ate ours to help our travels go smoothly tomorrow.

Tonkatsu.

Afterwards, Minako Sensei took us to the Big Hop mall once more for a surprise.  She wanted to take us on the giant ferris wheel before we left Japan.  It was really nice of her, but I had to chicken out.  There was just no way I was going to get on that thing and go that high in the sky.  I was freaking out at the thought of it.  I felt bad, but Madelyn went and I took a picture so it's okay:

Lin Sensei and Minako Sensei....I sat on
a bench and sang to myself out loud :)

Before heading back to the school, we stopped by Majelyn Sensei's house to say goodbye to her, Naomi chan, and Nono kun.  In true Japanese fashion, she got us something to drink and eat because she had to be the good hostess.  Normally, I'd insist that it wasn't necessary, but we've learned that here it's better to always accept because saying "no" is rude.  But we were able to give her a CD mix of American dance music that Madelyn and I compiled for her birthday.  A good combination of Gaga, Katy Perry, country, and since we know how much she likes Justin Bieber's "Baby", we had to include that!  She was so excited and I'm so glad we were able to give her something special, just for her since she has been SO wonderful these past 7 weeks :)

After showering and packing
more, we enjoyed our last
waffle ice cream to celebrate
our last night in Japan!

Everything is packed.  Both suitcases way about 48 lbs.  Please keep praying that my mini-scale is acurate and they aren't any heavier!!  WOO-HOO for getting it all in, though!!!!
There was a slight change of plans and miscommunication about our plans for tomorrow (nothing surprising there!).  So we are actually leaving the kindergarten at 7:30 am.  Slightly different than the 9am departure we were understood before.  Yeah so we pack up at 7:15am, leave at 7:30am, depeart from the bus station at 7:50am, and arrive at the airport at 9am.  Yup.  Normal people get to the airport 2 hours before take off....we'll be there over 6 hours early! :)  It's a little much in my opinion, but I don't even care because I AM GOING HOME!!!!!!!!!!

One! Ichi! Eins! Uno!

Wednesday, August 10th: To. Too. Two.

Second to last day of work.  Wow.  46 posts ago, I never thought I'd make it to this day and here I am.  The day was super hot, but enjoyable :)

Played a little peek-a-boo :)

Followed by lots of giggles!

Asian turban!

Water games got me even more wet than yesterdays!  Like I felt like I just showered with my clothes on.  So much fun though, for both the kids and me :)

Cuties with weird fans

Lin Sensei getting some love...but really
the kid just wants a piggy-back ride.

In the last few minutes of work today, Oshida Sensei (the one who yesterday told us how much us being here this summer meant to her) pulled me aside and asked about our flight inormation in detail.  We ended up giving her our flight number and she gave us her email address so I can let her know when we're back in MI :)  We also gave her a copy of the King of the Jungle and Whole World in His Hands songs on CD for her and her daughter.  After all she shared with us yesterday and knowing how much they love the songs, it was the least we could do!  Before we left to clock out, we got a picture together as they won't be at school tomorrow which is our last day.  I'm glad we got to say goodbye :)

Oshida Sensei, Osumi chan, Lin Sensei, and Emely Sensei

It's moments like this that make me thankful I came.  Madelyn and I are pretty sure she's not a Christian (we'll ask the Nishimuras tomorrow to see if they know), but maybe this a foot in the door?  Ya know the feeling?  It just was nice to know that this summer and all my frustrations etc wasn't pointless.  I mean, with God nothing is pointless, but I was just happy to hear that somebody was effected by me being here!

It's not just a Japanese
peace sign...but it's the
number of days until
I'm back in the mitten!
YAY MICHIGAN!!

I did the trial run of packing while Madelyn and I finished the Sound of Music.  Good movie :)  but as far as packing goes...not so good.  I don't think I left anything out but both of my suitcases are at 48 lbs according to my scale.  It makes me REALLY nervous because I REALLY don't have room and I'm not sure what else I can leave behind.  It sounds like a weird thing to pray about, but please pray that it'll be okay because airports are stressful enough in America, let alone Japan and making a quick connecting flight in LA when we have to go through immigration and re-check baggage.  It'd just be a hassel at either of those stops to have to take out stuff and I literally have no where else to put it as my carry-on and backpack will be pretty full too.  I guess we'll see what happens :)  Traveling is always an adventure!

2 more days. 2 more wake-ups. 1 more day of work. 1 more dinner with the Nishimuras. 2 more days of being stared and pointed at for being white. 1 more day wearing an apron. 2 more air plane rides. 1 more water games. 1 more microwave container of rice.  1 more sweeping the floor to gather all of our hair.  2 more mornings waking up with the sun in my eyes. 2 more showers in a separate building.  2 more days. :)

Tuesday, August 9th: Three. San. Drei. Tres.

It's been a good day :) 

Making origami and doing Lin Sensei's
hair again

Water games got me SOAKED!  Yesterday I did the routine of "don't react when you get sprayed and the kids will leave you alone".  And it worked! But the kids don't have as much fun.  So today, I let the reactions come out of the bag and squealed and laughed as I was doused with ice cold water!  It was fun for both the kids and me :)

The adorable little Toshiya kun!
Yes, that is his big, pink, Hello
Kitty water bottle :)

Kaede kun. We've had some struggles
this past few weeks but now we're good
friends...which you couldn't tell by his
face in this picture.  He really does like me!

Oh, the joys of children photographers!

 Nap time was interesting...the three Japanese teachers went to sleep before most of the kids did.  So I spent 45 minutes patting and rubbing backs to get 4 of the little kiddos asleep before break.  Break was interrupted by 3 of the teachers we went bowling with last week.  Tamaki Sensei had brought her video camera bowling and they had made a DVD for us of the footage :)  SO CUTE!

We love this little guy!

He's not photogenic.  So imagine
the cuteness he his now and
multiply it by 45,000 and that's
almost how cute he is :)

Playing with Lin Sensei

Since we're spending more time with a few toddlers, I've started picking up kids and WOW I'm so glad I didn't start this before!  Six year olds can be HEAVY!  It's really not that bad...I just get a nice work out and the kids have fun :)  Kaede kun absolutely loves to climb on me and since I can never seem to pronounce his name correctly, I have started calling him "Saru kun" which is like saying Mr. Monkey or Monkey Boy.  It made us both laugh and I think he likes it cuz he keeps climbing and laughing!
Today was really good :)  At the end of our work day, Oshida Sensei (I think that's her name) but we nicknamed her "Mean Lady" cuz she used to be really mean to the kids and to us...now she's one of my favorite teachers here! Anyways...at the end of our work day, Oshida Sensei asked me to write down the lyics to the King of the Jungle song we've been teaching the kids.  (Yes, she speaks fairly good broken English)  She has a daughter in the kindergarten who LOVES the song and they wanted to be able to sing it at home together :)  After I gave them to her, she thanked Madelyn and I as the lyrics were a special present and she looked like they really were important to her.  Then she told us that this summer has been so special to her and thanked us for all of the wonderful memories and for making this summer so meaningful :) :) :) I was gonna tear up!  Most people say "thank you, see you!".  That's all I was expecting.  But to have impacted her that much?  Wow :)  Thanks, God!  I wondered why I came....o touch the heart of this one woman and her daughter.  Yeah, that's enough of a reason for me.
The day couldn't get much better....although dinner was pretty good.  And huge!  We had been given potatos again.  So we ate those.  Madelyn bought edamame on Sunday.  So we ate that.  The lettuce isn't gonna last much longer.  So we ate that.  We have tons of chicken.  So we ate that.  Throw in a little cucumber and apple and you'll have our dinner!  HUGE!

Don't worry...we didn't eat all
of them!  Some will be for
tomorrow's lunch and dinner :)

Me posing with dinner...yes,
there is an edamame hanging
out of my mouth.  I needed a
hand free to do the Japanese
peace!  (I know I don't look very
classy, but when did I say I
was a class lady?)

The night was finished off by a sweaty jam session in the non-air conditioned room that has the piano.  Totally worth all the sweat, though!  Very good day :)  And guess what?

ONLY 3 MORE!

Monday, August 8th: Four. Shi. Vier. Cuatro.

Today's gonna be another day described in pictures...

Madelyn playing with her favorite
little girl, Kaname chan!

Little Miss Giggles came, too!
Mizuki chan loves to smile :)

Aika chan and Nina chan "braiding"
Lin Sensei's hair to look like mine

Kaede kun borrowed my
camera...so I have lots of
"artistic" pictures.  Here
are some good ones:



The other sensei

The ceiling



My water bottle

My water bottle got a lot of attention today.  Adorable little kissy, fish face boy named Toshiya kun learned how to open the spout.  We played a game for about 10 minutes where he would open the water bottle spout, pull it towards him for a drink, and I would pull it away and close it while saying "no, no, no, no, no" and tickling him.

Kaede kun and me :)

Mizuki chan doesn't like
waking up from naps either

 

The brothers had matching (non uniform) hats!

All of the kids :)  12 was the most we
had all day!

Madelyn and Yui chan
about to leave for dinner

 Yes, we went out to dinner with the Nishimuras!  A surprise to us, but then again, it always is a surprise when it comes to our schedule in Japan :)  Afterwards, Minako took us to a different grocery store to get some cheap junk food to take home with us.  YAY!  The only problem is...how we get it home when I have so little space left!! YIKES!

Me and some American
styled chocolate!
(had to get rid of the onion
taste in my mouth from dinner)

Woo-hoo!  4 more days!



Sunday, August 7th: Isaiah 54:10

If you ever travel to Japan, bring one large suitcases full of American gifts to give, as it is rude not to give a gift when you visit somebody.  Then you can be prepared and will have a suitcase to bring home all the gifts you will be given in return.  Madelyn and I are having to learn this the hard way.  There is SO much left to pack!  So far I'm good weight-wise on both of my stuicases, I just pray there will be enough room for the little bits of stuff I have to leave out to get me through this week.
Anyways, today consisted of pre-church shopping, church, and a goodbye party for us Americans :)
We ate some random foods and people gave little toast/speeches in our honor.  They were all really thoughtful and now I know that if I ever return to Japan, I have many places I could stay :)  Madelyn and I also had to answer a few different questions about our time in Japan such as:
- Favorite Japanese word:  mushi (moo-she) it means bug/insect/worm and although I hate all those things, it's a really cute word and it makes me laugh
- Favorite Japanese food:  ice cream, it's really not but I still say it because if you say something like sushi, gyosa, curry rice, etc then that's all you will eat for forever and ever.  So I stick to something that's difficult for people to give you
- Worst memory in Japan: the language barrier. It's awful when I can't communicate with 98% of the people I meet
- Favorite Japanese location: Tokyo because I love the city or Kyoto because I love it's beauty
- Favorite memory in Japan: the time when little sweaty duck face boy fell asleep on me after he was crying at nap time, it was one of the best feelings every to know I was able to comfort him and make him feel safe and secure and loved all without having to speak any Japanese!
We recieved several going away gifts from church members, but my personal favorite is from Tan san (Mrs. Tan who had us over for lunch two weeks ago).  She shared with us a verse to encourage us through all that this next year and the rest of life holds.  She also told us she'd be praying for us always :)  The verse she passed on to us is Isaiah 54:10 "Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,' says the LORD, who has compassion on you."

The church family after our goodbye party :)

The afternoon and evening consisted of window shopping, grocery shopping, packing, dinner while starting The Sound of Music, and now blogging followed by writing a journal...only 3 to go!

Yeah yeah, baby!
I can count it on
ONE hand! :)
Only 5 more days
until I'm in MI!

Saturday, August 6th: Yay no rain!

Today was a nice, although quite hot, day.  Madelyn and I enjoyed our skype dates this morning, I got to hear from the parentals and The Blonde One which was lovely :)  Then we ate an early lunch and hopped our bikes to go to the mall.  We took the train back to the mall one stop over to check out their G.U. (a really nice discount clothes store)  YAY!  Did a little more shopping, came back to Inzai Makinohara (our home station) did a bit more browsing and rode home.

It was basically my name...

 

Madelyn's first Baskin' Robins
ever! Exciting stuff.
I got a delicious scoop of lemon,
cranberry cheesecake :)

 

Such a pretty day!
Praise the Lord for no rain!

The guy running for Prime Minister

Our Daily Yamazaki convenience store

Sadly, our convenience store is closing soon.  But what's even worse is the reason why it has to close.  Please keep the lady who lives above the store in your prayers as her husband past away recently which is why she must close the store.

Can you see the little airplane slightly
left of center? That'll be me in 6 days!

Pretty flowers :)

Tonight we ate dinner, finished the Wizard of Oz, wrote some journals, and chilled.  Overall, a pretty good day.