Dear Urashima san, Joy teachers, staff and students:
Both Paul and I go home with such wonderful memories of our year here teaching at Joy.
We have laughed together, learned from each other and enjoyed many special moments
and most of all you have shown us such kindness, generosity and thoughtfulness.
We had many lunches and dinners with teachers and students and learned to enjoy raw fish, tofu and seaweed. Our family in Canada won't believe these stories.
You have listened to us whine about Obihiro's icy streets and have found creative ways to silence us by giving us rides to and from work. Thank you so much.
We have received so many gifts-homemade meals, Tokachi fruit and vegetables, local homemade crafts, desserts, chocolate, soba, flowers, honey and cheese.
A special thanks to the teachers, staff and students who helped us read and interpret Japanese. Yuta we couldn't have done it without your help at the bank, doctors, city hall and bike shop. Manami thanks for your help with our boxes and clothes.
David, even though we only worked together for a short time, your expertise and friendship will always be remembered.
Everyone, how can we ever repay you? Please come and visit us in Canada. We have a guest bedroom waiting for you. Central Canada is beautiful. We're not far from either Niagara Falls or Toronto. We could take you to our favorite camp ground, Algonquin Park or go for a motorcycle ride north along Airport Road.
We leave Japan with such vivid memories, riding the country roads and mountain passes with our Joy motorcycle gang. This is truly motorcycle heaven!
This isn't good bye but 'til we meet again.
March 1, 2009
Time flies when you're having fun! Last month many students and teachers made sure I had fun. I had a variety of experiences, a sushi birthday dinner with Teruyo. We ate raw sashimi and I actually liked it, except for the salmon roe. I went out for dinner and then went to the Light Festival at Tokachigawa in Otofuke with a group of students. There was a finger hot spring bath, cute! We had a delicious lunch at Manami's, cod nabe and chirashi sushi and saw her Girl's Day doll display. Then the "First Lady of Obihiro" invited the whole class to lunch to enjoy her Heina doll display. I finished the kindergarten classes with Manami at Wakaba and helped Atsuko at another kindergarten to celebrate the Canada quiz. Yes, it was a busy month but I did find time for a wonderful soak in a hotspring. I enjoyed our Mexican cooking night at Bucky Hall with the Joy staff. So thank you to everyone for making this month so much fun. Good memories!!
WALK LIKE A PENGUIN
The world is becoming more aware of the negative effects of global warming and our attention has been directed to the poor penguins in the antarctic. With the melting ice in the south pole, the warming ocean currents and the reduction of their fish feed, the penguin's life cycle has become a scientific concern.
Why am showing so much interest and concern for these creatures? Well I'll tell you, because they have saved my life many times during this winter season.
Penguins have taught me how to survive the cold, icy conditions of the Obihiro winter. If they can exist in the snowy, icy polar conditions without fear of injury then so can I.
It's all in their slow steady shuffle across the bleak landscape. They waddle from side to side, arms close to their body, in short quick strides.
So if you see Paul and I leaving JOY after our night classes, walking in single file, in close unison, doing the penguin walk, don't worry, we haven't lost our mind, we're just trying to survive the frigid, icy Obihiro winter streets.
Happy Valentine's Day
The first Valentine card was written and sent by a man named Valentine. Some people called him, Saint Valentine. He fell in love with a young maiden and signed the card, "from your Valentine". This story dates back to the early Roman Empire or at least that how the story was told. So that's why many Valentine cards use the phrase - love from your Valentine.
In Canada children often celebrate February 14th in school. Some call it Friendship Day. Kids give cards to their friends, chocolates to their teacher, and make special cards for their parents.
Some schools have a cookie and cake sale and the money is given to the poor, as a gesture of friendship.
Today giving chocolate has almost replaced the Valentine card. People love to give and receive chocolate on February 14th, all around the world.
Thank you to everyone who gave me chocolates, how thoughtful.
Tokachi has a MEXICAN CONNECTION!
This weekend we made Tortillas. The "we" refers to Junko and her grandson, Tomoe and her two girls and Kazuko, three of my students at Joy. We went to Shimizu town, to Junko's home last Saturday afternoon. Tortillas are a favorite with Paul's family and we always make our own soft wraps. We have perfected the recipe over time but you can find many different recipes on the internet, try recipes.com.
Basically the dough is made from warm milk, a little olive oil, bread flour and a bit of baking powder. You mix, knead, let it sit for 10 minutes, then roll them out. Use a non-stick t-fel pan to quickly fry them. The fillings can be whatever you like, but we usually chop up tomatoes, sweet green peppers, onion, avocado and lettuce. Add cooked chicken or ground meat, grated cheese and salsa and wrap and eat. We chopped 'til we dropped, rock and rolled out the wraps and sizzled and fried like a chef. And of course laughed the entire afternoon away. So now there's a Mexican connection stretching from Shimizu town to Memero and then all the way to Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Thanks Tomoe for driving. We had so much fun!!!
Everyone says that February is the coldest month in Obihiro, so it's a good time for all the winter festivals. Did you see the fireworks in Green Park for the Obihiro Snow Festival? There was a huge slide and many snow sculptures in the park. One of my highschool students told me about the Snowball throwing contest at Obihiro nomori. He said there were hotdogs to eat and hot cocoa to keep you warm. I heard about the Light festival in Otofuke. I hope I get to go.
Last weekend I went to Lake Shikaribetsu for the Ice Festival. Natsuki and Taro, two Joy students, are nature guides at the park. They helped build the igloos, ice bar and hot spring on the lake. If you want to go, get there early because the tour buses were rolling in at 1:30 in the afternoon. We were lucky, the morning was quiet, the sun was shining, the breeze was gentle and the water was a warm 43 celsius. It was a wonderful experience sitting in the hot spring looking at the lake and mountains. Thanks Teruyo for taking me, what a good memory.
Hello everyone,
It's been awhile since my last blog. This is a busy time of year, it's Student Evaluation Month.
So I've been concentrating on completing my reports before February. Next week you'll be able to sign up for the Spring Term. Oh how time flies!
Have you ever taken the Obihiro bone density test? Well, I did. I was walking home from Ito Yokado and it was dark. The snowy sidewalks had turned icy and I slipped. Down I went straight on my left knee and my right wrist. But luckily with a little help from Paul I was able to pick myself up, dust myself off and continue my journey home. No broken bones, so I passed the local bone density test. Be careful this next month or you too may be experiencing this test.
Happy New Year!
This time every year many people make a determined decision and decide firmly to change their life in a positive way. The history of New Year's Resolutions goes back all the way to 153 B.C. Janus, a mythical king of early Rome was placed at the head of the calendar. He became the ancient symbol of resolutions and many Romans looked for forgiveness from their enemies and also exchanged gifts before the beginning of each year.
So what are your New Year's Resolutions? Many westerners decide to try to stop smoking or lose some weight. These are typical resolutions that are doomed to fail.
I read a funny article on line - "Making 2009 resolutions that fit pets and owners." This is certainly a different twist on resolutions. So pet lovers, dance with your pets every day, teach them to sing your favorite song and remember every day how much you love each other.
A CHRISTMAS POEM
WHAT SHOULD I BUY FOR JOE THE PLUMBER?
SOMETHING FOR XMAS, NOT FOR THE SUMMER,
NOT CHOCOLATE OR WINE,
IT'S DIFFICULT,'CAUSE HE'S ONE OF A KIND.
WHAT CAN I GET FOR 1000 YEN?
I ASKED MYSELF, AGAIN AND AGAIN.
HOW ABOUT SUSHI OR A BIG MAC?
WHAT'S THE PERFECT GIFT FOR JOE SIX PACK?
I HAVE A GIFT FOR JOE THE CANUCK,
HOPE HE LIKES IT, WISH ME LUCK,
IT WAS EASY- SIX JAPANESE BEER,
SO MERRY XMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!
