So this is the life!

Well today is like many a week in Japan. I usually do not have many weeks in a row where I actually work 8-5 for five straight days! Usually there is a random meeting, where I am excused because I do not speak or understand much Japanese, or like today there is the Kofu Kyo Kyo- the teachers meeting that involves all the teacher and yet I get to sit and do little of nothing. Today unlike most Kyo Kyo days I have to stay here where there are 3 teacher sitting on computers probably doing what I am doing-nothing- until 3:45- about one and a half hours and bear this wonderful silence. I have finished all my correcting of papers today and have one more day till the weekend. So, I have decided to uhmm read a book. I usually do not read a book because I like to keep myself busy doing things that are related to school- such as study Japanese, correct papers, check my email, write blogs- ok now this is hilarious the first few are very noble but the last are so ridiculous! Lately as I read Ghost Soldiers (a book about the reality of the Bataan Death March and the raid which saved some lives), I and writing down any sweet words that I found which I didn`t know how to spell or I think are pretty swanky- and not the Hilary type. 

Wait I have changed my mind I shall write to you in the Japanese that I know. It may not mean much but I feel like I can use it better than before.... so here we go....

ﾓｰﾘｷｰｾです。今わたしわじょなんちゅがっこです。わたしわおしえりました。わたしわ日本語をべんきょします。英語を谷差しです。日本語をむずかしです。まいにちわたしわ日本語をべんきょします．でもわたしわべんきよをしうです。ぢあじょぶです。わたしわ日本語をすこしはなします。らいｓひょうまいにしわたしわ日本語をべんきよします。そうですね。いまねむいです。と私わうちをいきたい。ｽｺﾞｲね。ありがとごさいます。おさかにしつれいします。さやのら。

wow that took me a while and some looking up thing in my notes. To summarize I talked about how I was at school, and that I study Japanese but sometimes wrong and at least I am trying! Anywho!  This blog was meant to be something way better than I thought But please be pleased as I write about my Tokyo trip coming up here very soon!

Remember: not all blogs are meant to be understood but once you write something it needs to be published! 

~MOlly

モリーキーセです. さごいね.

This is the price of the dolls- 10,000 dolla- Takai ne?

Well, hello again! Sorry for the late turn to blogging. Not much has happened here- other the new years Tokyo trips and things! Just trying to stay warm, not sleep to much, and enjoy this snow less cold weather. It has just got cold enough that I feel cold just about all the time unless I am under the Kotatsu or sleeping. The tip of my nose is starting to get cold in my house, and I run around the place trying to stay warm and get through the cold rooms fast! All is well, I am just glad that I do not have snow to battle along with the cold and biking! But a weekend ago my Kocho sensei (principal) and Ms. Saigusa (one English teachers at Kamijo) went to Takeda Shrine, a Buddhist Temple, along with a doll shop and craft shop. It was quite fun! They were very fun! Enjoy the pics! And just for kicks- I saw (with my eyes- no one elses) a teacher bow 8 times while on the phone- just in case you do not get it- the person they were talking to could not see them bow- talk about dedication! 

Takeda Shrine

Buddhist Temple

March 3 is Dolls Festival- they are beautiful!

Remember: When you run out of things to do- siting under a Kotastu (warm table) with a mikan (mandrin orange) is a choice!

(ps for those who do not know- the title says I am Morry Kee- se. (first part) Cool huh!(second part).

~MOlly

What does that have to do with the price of ichigo in Japan? a lot because they are 350 yen now!

Well, to this blog I am again authorizing the use of ridiculousness I see and hear in Japan. Why? This happens to me daily and I always forget to write it down- but today you are all lucky enough to partake with me on this journey that has had many ups and well ups!

6:05- I start my run for the day. After placing my running clothes under my sheets last night because my house is so drafty and they get so cold. Who wants to run in cold clothes? Not me! Any who I start. After a few huffs- this turns into a glorious run- a run that clears the mind and reminds me why Japan is so beautiful. I am focused to get to my halfway mark which is starring straight at Fuji as the sun begins to rise. Then I go to cross a road I have many times before and I am almost run over. What you might ask- who is up at 6:07? not many people and for this reason I am very shocked- and also I saw this car coming very slow so why the speed up- was this an attack on my life or just a ridiculous driver up at ridiculous hours- I believe it is the later of the two! Any who, I laugh it off because seriously no one is out that early and I just almost given a ride on the hood of a car..... (I know I would be on of the only ones laughing but you had to be there).

8:00- lets speed it up a little. I am leaving for school- via bike. So I am strapped in when I look up to see people waving their arms around in the lot that is adjacent to my place. There has been a convenience store being built. And the construction workers are dancing??? NO being eaten by fire ants? no there are no fire ants here? Well- they are stretching. All together- a bunch of men doing toe touches, and arm circles- lead by the leader/boss. Stretch before you work- do de do do do do do-(this to the tune of whistle while you work.) I was first of all trying not to turn my bike around- get a boom box and mix up a new CD for those workers. I held back the tears of laughter for about 3 seconds then they were cascading down my windburn face! So should I do this before I teach- Stretch my arm, warm up my voice, maybe sing some ascending and descending chords- well I think I shall try!

9:15- I am reading the weekly English summary of the weekly news. And I stumble on some great one-liners. Ministry mulls aid to Brazilian students- (title) of an article that talks about how the economic downturn has affected Brazilian- Japanese students and they are returning to Brazil. My first question- what ministry and what is mull? thanks to Merriam Webster I know know that this verb could be- to pulverize, or ponder or to heat, sweeten, and flavor- So I guess the title should be Ministry heats up and flavors aid to Brazilian students? Maybe they are giving them snacks to help with the economic downturn? Well that one I will leave up to you!

Talk about snow- The first snow fall on Kofu is "accompanying cyclogenisis was observed across Yamanashi Prefecture." This snow was accompanying "the development or intensification of a cyclone"- Wow I knew that Japan`s weather was varying but at the thought of the intensifying cyclone leading the way for less than and inch of snow is quite serious- I would hate to be where that is- oh it said- Kofu- oh man I better leave while I still can- I wonder if that cyclone has passed through yet??? It`s sunny and cold but oh- no that was just a leaf falling of a tree- no I think I am safe- but who knows.

Last but not least- there is a school whose founder shall named Hypotenuse- The Pythagoras School in Yamanashi- that school has a bunch of triangles I hear- but at least it does`t havne any squares like the Shikaku (square in Japanese) Kofu University. Seriously... (disclaimer- the latter of the two schools is fake- but the first is completely true and straight out of the news paper!) Thanks to Akiyo Jones we shall always have the unabridged summary of the weekly news!

Ok so after the reading of the news- twice or three times! I found these next to happen while in class and thus they shall be listed and lacking in exact time for that would have required me to look at the clock more than 7 times in one period which would make me look like I was bored!

- Did you know- Santa is from Finland- or the North country?- this was told to me by ichi nen sei- first graders- translated by my teacher! And then she asked me if that was true- Like I know where Santa lives- so I agreed and said the North Pole-but seriously- Finland or the North country does sound better!

- After my short summary of the complete Civil Rights Movement- and a discussion of Martin Luther King- my teacher thus points out to me that Obama is the first African American president and that his car is rocket launcher proof. (no exaggeration there- trust me).

-While reading through some paper about - My City- I got various responses. These are the best....
-My town is famous for its old people. There are many old people here. Do you want to come to my town?
- There are many convenience stores near my house. There are many cats near my house. There are many trees in my city. I love my city.
-Its in the temple near the my Yamanashi. (read that one and tell me why I put a question by it.)

Then it comes to the first graders for fun! I get to start class and ask questions to random students. This is fun for I do what I want. Today we focused on animals. I got a few people who like cats and a few who like-s-cats but for the most part they like cats. And when asked what color of cat they like I received- brown, gray, and beige. Japan does really have cool things if they have beige cats- I have never seen a beige cat but maybe I will if I look really close- because a beige cat would blend in really well. And I have a kid who loves soccer, he practices for 1 min a day! I said really (honto)? 1 min- you must practice very hard and fast- and he just shook his head! Of course- then his friend reminded him how long a minute was and that quickly changed- but it was great! I love speaking Japanese- I do it about 1 minute a day! WOW

Well, I hope this hit your funny bone like it hit my knuckles. I definitely got through the day faster when I have as many hits as I did today! I wish this would happen more! Any who anytime you have great things happen you have to write them down!

Remember: If Santa comes from Finland- where does the Easter bunny come from?

~MOlly

Read, Set, SPIKE....cough cough!

There once was three American Girls who knew how to run. Annie ran many many times in college,she was a real athlete, and loved to push her self to new speed. Then there was Angela, a very intelligent, successful, and seasoned runner who enjoyed running outside till her lungs hurt then hitting the gym to enjoy running and basking in others sweat. Lastly, there was Morry, I mean Molly a girl of little height, who enjoyed running not for speed or feeling the wind blow in her hair but for the sake of ... of.... well lets just say she likes waking up with the sun. So these three amigos were thinking one day- well since we all share running why not run together in the Kose 10 mile Marathon. Everyone said to each other- well look under that description in the paper- a women's 5k- that is defiantly a great way to run on the weekend- no problem lets do it. ( to Molly's great relief because you do not just get up and run 10 miles).  

SO they worked a little harder than usual preparing for the race. Annie did fartlicks and many many things that racers do, Angela ran and prep-ed and Molly- well since she was not a racer just pushed a little harder than usual and tried to fell like a racer! Then suddenly a cough cough cold came upon Molly and she was bed ridden at nights for 12 hours. Will she be able to run???? Yes thankfully the day before the run she tried and succeeded. Goals- to finish the race! 

The day of the race came, we were very nervous and excited! We drank a grape flavored energy drink and got in line- well there were 7 girls and around 10 men- what running with men? (later we found out that they were all over 40- of course it makes us feel better to be beaten by older men that is why i run!) any who bang we are off- well all of us but well we all were running but it seemed that Molly was not in the front- that is ok reminder Goal- to finish. And we ALL did! Annie was third prize winner with a sweet 20 flat time! And the girl in the picture was first with a 18 min time! WOW so fast. I finished and got 6th at 26 mins 21 sec- not an amazing speed but i did tons better than I thought and with a cold no doubt! This was motivation to keep running and do better and better! What a wonderful energy draining afternoon- lets do it again sometime! 

Annie with her 3rd prize- she did an amazing job! Way to be! 

Remember: A little prayer for help can turn into shaving 4 mins off a large goal! God def gets the glory for this one! 

~Molly

The First Snow-el!

(There is supposed to be a picture of Japan's snow- but it melted so fast I went to grab my camera and it was gone- for those of you who see snow everyday- it is the same here!)

OK today is Christmas! Well just in case you are checking your calendar- it is not really Christmas but it is finally beginning to look a lot like Christmas here in Japan. Today I woke to a wintry mix of rain and snow! And as I look outside I see huge white flakes plummeting to their deaths (or what we would like to call the ground). (OK again- don't check your science books- snowflakes are not real I just like to personify things!) The snow is so beautiful! And for the first time in a while- I like it! It took me about 22 years of heavy snow to appreciate a light snow in Japan. It felt kinda like a heavy snow since while I was riding my bike in it this morning it happened to pound my face and drench any part of me not covered by my sorta-winter coat! SO for the first day I looked like a wet dog! It was fine with me- At least I didn't look like a wet animal that looks bad being wet-( ok confession the only animals I could think of now are ocean animals and seriously they are at their best when wet-where has my extensive mental picture dictionary of animals gone? I do not know but if you see it I want it back!) OK any who. First snow- hopefully the last! I would be ok with that- you see it once you get enough! But thankfully it doesn't stick around the ground is still warm and it just puddles like rain!

So since I forgot to publish this I shall now- the first snow was Jan 9th and since then there has been nothing but nice warm weather. So the forecast looks like the winter hopefully lasted one day! WE shall see!

Remember- to live in a place with out snow for 1 year- is a wonderful thing.

~Molly

Going to Tokyo in an Onsen!

So we start off the new year! For New Years Eve we went to a progressive dinner with church folks! We ate many great foods from Japan, America, and the Philippines. OISHI! So these pics are a few from me finding the biggest Kotastu ever (at the Brown's house) it was one that was cut into the floor. So there was a table on the ground and you put your feet down into a grate that was heated- the coolest thing ever. And my curiousness forced me to climb in- it was def molly size- I could lay down there and be completely comfortable! So Annie got a few pics of me in the Kotastu!

So nice and warm!

Here is me climbing out of the kotatsu while taking a pic with some great friends from church!

Now the next day Jan 2 we went to another Onsen with Roberta and Takao! There we also made mochi- for my second time! It was sweet!

GO Annie- watch out for that Mochi SMASH on your shirt!

Ps this guy you see in the blue- actually is a registered nurse who does many things for the community- I he works so hard and doesn't even run the place! he draws the people! He was so Cool!

what is that- MOCHI? I wish I could eat it and enjoy it but it has the consistency of harder jello that is made from Rice! ALL RICE- the pounded rice is what mochi is! Annie loves it so she eats it for me!

also Annie def dominated the huge bowl of soba! WAY to GO! She rocks it- and is so Japanese! Did you notice the bangs! HEHE- Def love this girl! Such a great sister in Christ!

Then we went to Tokyo after one of our slumber parties at Annie's house! Love em! We met up with one of her running buddies from Morning side college! He was leaving the next day! it was fun to get to know a person who is going back to Sioux City, IA but is from Japan! The Irony!

Ok I love Apples! And pimped out my new Nano (I was very good this year- Santa thought so!)

This H&M just opened about three months ago- I read it in the paper! And I love H&M so I had to stop! At 10 there was a line waiting for it to open at 11! Crazy! I love it! 

WE are El Ed! We def found some sweet kids books in Tokyo! WE were just monkeying around! Badomchick! (drum sound)!

LOVE LOVE nan! We found a great Indian food restaurant! And we ate curry and Nan which is my FAVORITE! spicy!

Classic Tokyo pic! Did I say that Annie was a friend sent by God! She is also a missionary! It has been such a blessing to get to know this woman after God! She has challenged me in so many ways! (also she is a missionary so someday I will be able to look back at this and tell my kids that I was able to walk beside a great missionary of our time!- I am the Aaron for this Moses!) Pray for this missionary! She is following God not matter what so that will be difficult but she is ready! (WOW do I really know her- I am too blessed!)

Remember: you never know who God will place in your life! Be Blessed and ready for blessings!

~MOlly

Christmas in Japan Sukiyaki anyone?

(Japanese Family- Roberta (real life missionary!) & Takao (real life Japanese man of God!), Angela (mom), Sheila (auntie), and Joe (dad), well then me (child) missing Annu- my sis!)

This Christmas was both hard and fun! It was defiantly hard to work on Christmas Day and work with others who did not celebrate Jesus as I did, but it was also a blessing to share my Christmas traditions with my students and teachers. I taught many lessons that day saying the name of Jesus as much as possible- and it was so freeing. In Japan, religions are not seen as a need to tolerate but to listen and learn about other cultures. I took advantage of that! And It was also hard to be away from the US and my family but God brought me here and gave me a Japanese family! (well two if you consider this family above as well as my authentic Japanese family!). So on the 23rd of  December it is the Emperors B-day so we do not have school. So instead we had a Sukiyaki Party!

This is Sukiyaki- a sauce pan with a broth and boiling beef, veggies, lettuce, potatoes, and bunches of yummy stuff! Served with rice- of course! This is SO good!

Takao- Mr. Sukiyaki- he makes a mean Sukiyaki and served us so graciously and in very large portions!

Angela being ridiculous! And Takao laughing at us while we are playing a sweet game that I was not good at and Roberta dominated!

So after we ate we opened many presents and played a sweet game! Then we laid down for a while to let things settle. It was a great meal I think I am still feeling it!

Next, After we got done teaching on Friday 26th- we went to Fujioshida which is the town at the base of Mnt Fuji! We got sweet shots and did so much stuff! We went ice skating at a huge ice rink. This ice rink was in the middle of a huge theme park, it had a 4th dimensional (not a word but deal) roller coaster- it did not just let you dangle, go upside down, and go really fast, you can also spin 360 while riding this thing! (Ops I think I just puked in my mouth!) It was huge!

Skater chicas! We were def out of control on the ice! (Americans on Ice- it was a show)

Then we went to an Onsen- basically a mineral bath that soothes your tired achy body! After all the skating we needed it! Then we did what most Japanese people do- KARA-OKE! It was a blast! We danced, and sang out hearts out! What a blast!

Then we came back home to Kofu. Annie and I got to have a slumber party with Roberta and Takao. It was so fun! We ate at a local ma and pa place, ate chocolate, made hot chocolate with mallows, and laughed so much! I love them so much! They give and give- they are a true family!

We see this every day! Praise God! His finger prints are everywhere!

Remember: When God places beauty in front of you- Do not see the subzero weather- see his fingerprints- they are everywhere!

~MOlly