Plethora of things

This is Yokohama at night.

To be honest... I am loving Japan.  There is a peace and restfulness here in one of the busiest places I have ever lived.  I cannot pinpoint just one thing that makes Japan so enjoyable.  It's really a plethora of things. Like the people I am beginning to invest in at work.  For the next month or so, I will be getting to know my co-workers more than my students.  The schedule at school makes that possible.  The friendships that are developing there and at church are very encouraging.  I am also attending/helping out at a ministry called Greenhouse.  This is an after school function where several schools around the area will have their students come for extra English practice.  We eat, sing, and just share in life with our students.  The goal is that we will live and teach in such a way that our students will know Christ for who He is.  Through Greenhouse, I am able to meet other teachers in the area.  We actually have a karaoke night planned for next Saturday.  I am stoked!  I only wish Laura Erickson and Kerry McDaniel could be there to partake in the joyous occasion!

I also really enjoy the amount of walking I do in a day.  I am not kidding when I say I live on a big hill.  As much as I thought it would be a pain, I actually love it.  It's good for sprint training.  There is also a quaint little park about a mile away.  I ran there today and then ran around the park.  I must have looked like a fool with the giddy smile across my face as I ran.  It was AMAZING! 

Japan is also giving me opportunities to try new foods.  The other day I ate Shabu Shabu, which is thinly sliced raw meats that you cook in a soup at your table.  The meat, though thin, still has a lot of fat on it.  However, it was delicious!  I also went to an Indonesian restaurant and ate chicken off the bone... that is a HUGE step for me!  There are also several Indian restaurants here with amazing curry, which is quickly becoming my favorite.  Tonight I even ate lamb in my curry... crazy!

I also have to admit that being able to actually date my boyfriend is quiet lovely.  I get to see him several times throughout the week and IT. IS. AWESOME.  I just love him.  I love dating him and the fact that I can hold his hand nearly anytime I want!

On the bench: Me and my roommates Beth and Autumn.
Rachel is across from us and is Autumn's sister and a new friend of mine.
Arai is a co-worker who took us out for curry and dessert! 

Of course there have been some hard times too.  Living with roommates has its ups and downs.  While it has been mostly good, there are times when personalities clash.  We are learning each other and that can often take a while.  Please pray for us.  Pray for unity and hearts that are truly "others" minded.

I could also use your prayers in other areas too.  It seems that the potter is molding the clay.  Many of you know that some of the most difficult people for me to love and show compassion to are Christians who have a very narrow world-view (meaning they haven't experienced a lot, but tend to think they have).  My prideful attitude often gets in the way and I use what I deem as their foolishness as a reason not to love them.  I often do not have compassion on their circumstances because I think they are weak and that they need to buck-up.  Even as I write this, I think what I am saying is right.  And, maybe it is.  Maybe it's not.  But even if the way I see it is the right way or better way, it is still no reason to be unloving towards them.

Anyway, all that to say... please continue to pray for me.  I have a lot to learn in this big world. 

Budou

Things I am getting used to:

The garbage - They are very organized with garbage here.  I have three different bins and a separate section for cardboard.  You bring your trash from your lunch home with you.  You don't throw it away at school.  If you buy a Starbucks and carry it out of the store, chances are there will not be a garbage anywhere and you will have to carry it home.

Walking - I walk everywhere.  We live on a really huge hill that we walk everyday.  I probably spend 2 hours almost every day walking to or from somewhere.  I am not talking about the walking you do at work or at home.  Instead of a driving, I walk.

Bathrooms -  I guess it is custom to bring your own handkerchief into the restroom.  If not you are usually using a community towel.

Light switches - They are usually on the outside of the room.

Grocery shopping - Most people buy their groceries the day they will eat it.  You don't stock up like in America and just go once a week or so.  

Air conditioning - Most houses have wall units in each room.

Fat - They eat a lot of fat on their meats.

Slippers - You wear slippers inside the house.  Shoes are not to be worn in a house.

Ovens - Most japanese homes do not have an oven.  We don't.

Japanese - You cannot even begin to understand how difficult the most basic of things can be to operate or buy because it's in japanese.  Remotes, alarm clocks, microwaves, washer and dryers, milk, butter, certain vegetables.  

Food - The raw stuff is still hard to eat. However, a lot of foods are different than what you expect.  Things you think will be salty are sweet.  Things that you think are sweet are savory.  

Fruit - It's a dessert here.  So my students think it is odd at times for me to eat it at breakfast or eat it first during lunch.  However,  IT IS DELICIOUS!  The fruits are huge here and so much tastier.  My favorite fruit in Japan are grapes (Budou).  They are so big!  You don't eat the skins of them though.  You eat them almost like you would eat a cherry, except instead of spitting out the pit or seed, you spit out the skin.