Teaching Japanese, Learning Japanese, and Fun in Yokosuka

My parents have been visiting for the last couple of weeks, and they still have one more week. We have been busy doing things more close to home this time. The last time they visited, we traveled to Kyoto, Hiroshima, Hakone, Tokyo, Kamakura, etc. This time, they are enjoying Yokosuka and getting involved in the boys' schools. My dad has been teaching Patrick's class a lesson in Economics called "Our Community". It is part of Junior Achievement, which is where he works in Michigan. My mom went with Matthew to a special tea celebration in his class last week. She had tea, cookies, and received special flowers and a butterfly picture made from Matthew's handprints. The first Friday they were here, we all went to the MIME festival at Patrick's school. MIME stands for Multiple Intelligences of Me. We enjoyed many cultural performances, such as Hawaiian dancers and a piano performance. Patrick got to see Japanese Taiko drummers. It is neat that Patrick is able to learn about so many different cultures while we are here. It is also funny to see him with his class because he is in the minority. Patrick doesn't seem bothered by it at all- his friends are filipino, Japanese, African American, Hawaiian, and caucasian The same can be said of Matthew's group of friends. When I see them with their friends, I think of a Benetton commercial.

We had a nice Mother's Day yesterday by celebrating it at the New Sanno Hotel in Tokyo. The brunches they put on for special celebrations are fantastic. We all enjoyed our lunch and didn't have to eat dinner last night because we were all stuffed. We (except Brian- some people have to earn the money that we spend) will all head back to the New Sanno on Wednesday evening because we are going to stay there and get up and head to Disney Sea on Thursday for some great fun. Tokyo has the only Disney Sea in the world, and it is one of the best Disney parks going.

Later this week we are going to take an adventure to a small town near Nikko, Japan called Mashiko. Mashiko is know for its pottery. Brian and I took the boys to Nikko in the fall but didn't have enough time to venture to Mashiko, so I thought we would do it while my parents are visiting. The town is small, but quaint, and it is lined with pottery shops. My mom can't get enough of all of these little dishes, bowls, sets of pottery, etc. Now I know where I get it.

I am still teaching English on Wednesdays and just picked up a group of 7 more Japanese ladies to teach on Thursdays. They are going to be a lot of fun. I will be taking over for another military wife who will be moving later this summer. I truly enjoy these experiences with all of these women. They are all so different from one another, but all of them are eager to improve their English and learn about our culture. I just wish I could speak their language. I have private lessons every other week from a Japanese teacher, but the learning is slow, and I find the language difficult to learn. I am just now starting to go out in town and use my Japanese to ask questions in restaurants and stores.

That's all for now- stay tuned for pics of Disney and Mashiko!