Sunday, October 24, 2010

Lots of updates

I have posted several updates, I hope those of you who visit the blog take time to scroll down and see them all. I still have lots of catch up to do but at least I am getting started! Feel free to leave comments we love to hear what you have to say! :)

BEC English School

This summer we enjoyed working with the BEC English School again. They have a friendship with the homeschool group here at Yokota and during the summer they arrange some homestays and a campout at Tama Hills. We had three groups of girls stay with us this year and enjoyed one day at the campout. We enjoyed it very much and have loved watching our girls develop friendships with the Japanese kids.

The kids had fun playing games of wheel barrow races, capture the flag, tug-of-war, and other fun games.








The girls with their friends




While the groups of girls stayed with us we enjoyed making cookies, playing flahslight hide and go seek, playing games, making crafts, swimming, bowling, and trying to communicate! The girls enjoyed it very much and I was sad to realize that this would be our last year because we will be moving before the next summer comes around.













































































Harley and her best friend Lien




Making cupcakes





They loved going to an Americn Diner








They were very dramatic when it came to bowling. They also were not very good and showed their dissapointment as you can tell.
























They enjoyed playing with Gena





We played alot of games











Flashlight hide and see was a big hit






We will miss seeing our Japanese friends!

Fussa Festival and Yukata's

A few months ago the ladies from the Japanese Ward that meet in our same building invited the ladies from our branch to be dressed up in traditional Yukata's (summer kimonos) to wear to the local Fussa festival. I was excited to have the chance.

These ladies took this very seriously. I didn't know wearing a kimono had to be so precise but it is! They even gave us instructions on how to go to the bathroom in one. Lets just say it would be better to go before hand.

Here we are all dressed up!






My good friend Allison and I looking slightly stuffed and uncomfortable because that is exactly what we are. Did you know they add "extra" padding under that belt to make you figure more even, not hour glass shaped. I wanted to tell them I don't need any extra padding there thank you.






The bow. The bow is in the words of the Japanese "more important than your face" Good to know.






Then off to the festival we went. It was lots of fun and really fun. We always have such a good time just enjoying the Japanese culture.


The girls were able to place some flowers to be planted at Fussa's city hall. They enjoyed that.
It was a fun day. We enjoyed all the typical things at a Japanese festival. I realized I have really gotten used to Japan because even the smell of these made me smile. Yes grilled baby octopus, it just wouldn't be a festival without them!