Monday, June 30, 2008
Doug's Blog Day
Yesterday was very interesting. For the first time in my life I attended a home economics class. It was vaguely reminiscent of what I thought an American home economics class would be except that everything was in Japanese and we were actually having fun. We made muffins and extremely strong ice tea that was incredibly satisfying. The muffins were delicious, which was very surprising since we didn’t follow the recipe and we had no clue what was really going on. Some of us stayed after and watched the practice for the Koyo-sai. It was quite impressive to see all of the kids dancing under their own discipline. While they were practicing some of us went to the tennis courts and watched them practice “soft” tennis, which is played with a soft , pink rubber ball instead of the normal neon yellow tennis ball. A person could absolutely smash the ball and still easily return it across the other side. By the end of the day we had spent nearly 12 hours at school, which seems to be fairly common for them to do. After this we took a trip to the country and visited my host father’s mother that had such a strong accent that it was hard for even her grand-daughter to understand.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Wes's Blog Day!
What, it’s my turn to do the blog? I guess I can write something. I get to cover all we did on Friday and over the weekend. First on Friday, we went on a field trip to the Chura-Umi Aquarium on the northern side of the island. We saw a dolphin show and toured through the aquarium and saw the largest aquarium tank in the world. Inside the tank are three whale sharks along with many stingrays, manta rays, and other fish.
Friday night I actually had the privilege of spending the night at Yoshiya sensei’s apartment. The only word I can use to describe that would be しぶい (read shibui). There is no English translation for this word. It would be the next level above cool. Anyways...
Saturday、 there was a BBQ at a very nice beach. Not everyone was there, but it was an odd situation... At the beach there was swimming, volleyball, yaki soba (fried soba noodles), and sumo. When we all had to get out of the water at 6:00, more games and fun ensued.
On Sunday there was a party at Lauren’s host student’s house. There was much socializing, Uno playing, eating, and some singing. Taichi, who came to Iowa last year, had his birthday yesterday. When the sun went down, we all walked down to the beach and lit off some fireworks.
Everyone had a great time on their last weekend here in Okinawa and I think all of us are sad to think we’ll be leaving so soon.
Friday night I actually had the privilege of spending the night at Yoshiya sensei’s apartment. The only word I can use to describe that would be しぶい (read shibui). There is no English translation for this word. It would be the next level above cool. Anyways...
Saturday、 there was a BBQ at a very nice beach. Not everyone was there, but it was an odd situation... At the beach there was swimming, volleyball, yaki soba (fried soba noodles), and sumo. When we all had to get out of the water at 6:00, more games and fun ensued.
On Sunday there was a party at Lauren’s host student’s house. There was much socializing, Uno playing, eating, and some singing. Taichi, who came to Iowa last year, had his birthday yesterday. When the sun went down, we all walked down to the beach and lit off some fireworks.
Everyone had a great time on their last weekend here in Okinawa and I think all of us are sad to think we’ll be leaving so soon.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Sarah-Elizabeth's Posting
Today we pulled up to the school and it smelled really bad. It reminded me of farms in Nebraska, that is if you have ever been there. We went to the castle of Okinawa in Naha city. The castle was very large and really intricate. It took us a good hour to get through the whole thing. It was bright red and we took tons of pictures of it. That will be way better than my words. On our way out Yoshiya, like the kid he is climbed a tree and got all dirty. He is just the coolest teacher in Japan!
Then we went to downtown Naha city to go shopping. David and I got a lot of stuff, while everybody else just went sightseeing. We got a tour of the place before we split up and we went to this meat market area and saw a pig head with sunglasses on it. Then we went to a fish market and looked at all of the fish there. We were asked a lot of questions about who we were we told them as we were fed fish samples. A couple of us got really grossed out because there were pig faces near by so we left.
We then went to a mall type thing where we got some little ball with taco in it. Taco is octopus arms with mayo and lettuce in it. Elizabeth and Lauren found a anpanman and baikinman carousel ride. They got on it and put money in and rode around. Cain sensei got a video of it. It was the highlight of the store.
While I rode the city bus home for the first time ever! Every one else went swimming at the pool here. Apparently the chlorine was really high and it wasn’t that fun
Then we went to downtown Naha city to go shopping. David and I got a lot of stuff, while everybody else just went sightseeing. We got a tour of the place before we split up and we went to this meat market area and saw a pig head with sunglasses on it. Then we went to a fish market and looked at all of the fish there. We were asked a lot of questions about who we were we told them as we were fed fish samples. A couple of us got really grossed out because there were pig faces near by so we left.
We then went to a mall type thing where we got some little ball with taco in it. Taco is octopus arms with mayo and lettuce in it. Elizabeth and Lauren found a anpanman and baikinman carousel ride. They got on it and put money in and rode around. Cain sensei got a video of it. It was the highlight of the store.
While I rode the city bus home for the first time ever! Every one else went swimming at the pool here. Apparently the chlorine was really high and it wasn’t that fun
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Gabby's Post
June 26, 2008
Today, so far, is hot, just like every other day in Okinawa. The people in Japan, at least that I have met, are very nice and like to give us endless amounts of delicious food, such as yakisoba, cheesecake ice cream and takoyaki. Yesterday we went to Okinawa World and got to see the amazing caves where we took pictures of David posing as Indiana Jones. It was maybe the coolest place that we have gone to. We also saw really cool Okinawan dancing and deadly snakes for about five minutes. Today we are going to Shuri castle and it should be cool, otherwise I will be very disappointed. Also, we are going shopping, which should be great and also swimming in the school pool. Japan is wonderful. JAPAN JAPAN JAPAN!
Today, so far, is hot, just like every other day in Okinawa. The people in Japan, at least that I have met, are very nice and like to give us endless amounts of delicious food, such as yakisoba, cheesecake ice cream and takoyaki. Yesterday we went to Okinawa World and got to see the amazing caves where we took pictures of David posing as Indiana Jones. It was maybe the coolest place that we have gone to. We also saw really cool Okinawan dancing and deadly snakes for about five minutes. Today we are going to Shuri castle and it should be cool, otherwise I will be very disappointed. Also, we are going shopping, which should be great and also swimming in the school pool. Japan is wonderful. JAPAN JAPAN JAPAN!
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
先生's reflections on our tours
Yesterday we went to the Okinawan Peace Memorial Park. Just one day after the Battle of Okinawa Memorial Day, it was a particularly meaningful day to visit. The Battle of Okinawa is not very well known among Americans but it was an event that forever shaped the Okinawan way of life.
Until the late 1800’s, Okinawa was its own country. At that time they were forced to become part of Japan. Through the years of build-up to World War II, Okinawan’s were treated as less than by their own countrymen. Especially during the war, those who were caught speaking in the Okinawan dialect were treated as spies. Also, as it became increasingly clear that Okinawa would serve as the gateway for an American assault on Japan, the Japanese army forced many Okinawan people to work for the war effort.
When the American army landed, part of the island was taken without much of a fight, however, the southern part of the island fought for well over 3 months. During that time, many Okinawan civilians lost their lives. In fact, nearly the same number of civilians died as did soldiers. There were many reasons for these deaths; some the fault of the Japanese Army and some the fault of the American Army. One statistic that shocked us was that for every man, woman and child on the island, there were over 50 rounds of explosives directed at the island.
While the ugliness of war is something that we can only experience second hand, the museum we toured did a good job of conveying some of the feelings that those caught in the cross-fire might have felt. One thing that seemed to strike many of the students is that instead of wanting revenge or retribution, the Okinawans have strongly sided themselves with peace. The entire Peace Memorial Park is a tribute to all people who died in the battle – Okinawan, Japanese, American, British, Korean, everybody. Also, the park is dedicated to the desire that some day we can live in a world without war.
In the photos that I will put on Shutterfly, you will see us at the memorial park and in the Peace Prayer Hall. The hall has a giant lacquer Buddha that is designed to represent all religions. Below the Buddha is a room that stores sacred rocks from hundreds of countries. This is the foundation upon which the hall is build. Also, if you look up into the tunnel that is above the Buddha, you can see stars representing the prayers of all who go there going strait to the heavens. It really is quite a sight!
I hope you enjoy the pictures and the little bit of history!
Until the late 1800’s, Okinawa was its own country. At that time they were forced to become part of Japan. Through the years of build-up to World War II, Okinawan’s were treated as less than by their own countrymen. Especially during the war, those who were caught speaking in the Okinawan dialect were treated as spies. Also, as it became increasingly clear that Okinawa would serve as the gateway for an American assault on Japan, the Japanese army forced many Okinawan people to work for the war effort.
When the American army landed, part of the island was taken without much of a fight, however, the southern part of the island fought for well over 3 months. During that time, many Okinawan civilians lost their lives. In fact, nearly the same number of civilians died as did soldiers. There were many reasons for these deaths; some the fault of the Japanese Army and some the fault of the American Army. One statistic that shocked us was that for every man, woman and child on the island, there were over 50 rounds of explosives directed at the island.
While the ugliness of war is something that we can only experience second hand, the museum we toured did a good job of conveying some of the feelings that those caught in the cross-fire might have felt. One thing that seemed to strike many of the students is that instead of wanting revenge or retribution, the Okinawans have strongly sided themselves with peace. The entire Peace Memorial Park is a tribute to all people who died in the battle – Okinawan, Japanese, American, British, Korean, everybody. Also, the park is dedicated to the desire that some day we can live in a world without war.
In the photos that I will put on Shutterfly, you will see us at the memorial park and in the Peace Prayer Hall. The hall has a giant lacquer Buddha that is designed to represent all religions. Below the Buddha is a room that stores sacred rocks from hundreds of countries. This is the foundation upon which the hall is build. Also, if you look up into the tunnel that is above the Buddha, you can see stars representing the prayers of all who go there going strait to the heavens. It really is quite a sight!
I hope you enjoy the pictures and the little bit of history!
Madeline's Blog Day
Awesome stuff!
People are very nice, food is Amazing, too bad it’s a little hot. ^_^
Well, don’t really know what to say!
It’s all so much but all so amazing!
We are all happy and not sunburned. And also full of fun.
By the way, Japan was ready for Gabrielle, Madeline, Lauren, Elizabeth.
I really wish you all could experience this!
It’s beautiful here. It’s a whole different world and we are not coming home Elizabeth says get over it ^_^…
Kidding!
….
Kind of
<33333333
People are very nice, food is Amazing, too bad it’s a little hot. ^_^
Well, don’t really know what to say!
It’s all so much but all so amazing!
We are all happy and not sunburned. And also full of fun.
By the way, Japan was ready for Gabrielle, Madeline, Lauren, Elizabeth.
I really wish you all could experience this!
It’s beautiful here. It’s a whole different world and we are not coming home Elizabeth says get over it ^_^…
Kidding!
….
Kind of
<33333333
Monday, June 23, 2008
One Week?!?
I apologize but I am still fighting with the computers here. It seems as though the school's internet access is locked down even more tightly than Cedar Rapids'. I cannot seem to convince it to let me upload photos or videos quite yet. If I don't get it to work by tomorrow, I will start e-mailing them or searching for another solution. In the mean time... here is the post with notion of where the pictures would be.
It sure doesn’t seem like a week since we left Iowa but here we are! Starting tomorrow, I am going to have the students do our blog, but until then, I will try to catch you up on our comings and goings.
Weighing on us all is the work that we cannot join in on back in Cedar Rapids. As we flew over on our way to Chicago, here is a part of what we saw. A day does not go by when we don’t think of the clean-up efforts back home. (cr flood picture here)
Among the other things we saw from the airplane… an Alaskan glacier and Mt. Fuji!! Mt. Fuji gave us a wonderful welcome to Japan. (Alaska glacier and mt. fuji here)
Koyo is in a very beautiful part of Japan and we can see views of the ocean from many places. (Koyo ocean)
The students are all settling in with their hosts. It is quite fun to watch them interact. The negotiation of language is extraordinary and I think both are learning a great deal. I am very proud of them and it fills me with joy to see them having so much fun. Here are the students and their hosts:
David and Saaya
Sarah-Elizabeth and Makoto
Wes and Masachika
Madeline and Fuka
Doug and Riri
Gabby and Tomoyo
Elizabeth and Kanae
Lauren and Erina
Jake and Naoki
During the first couple of days, the students had a lunch with all students who have participated in the Washington-Koyo Program over the years as. Here are some photos of that luncheon.
Students also participated in gym classes:
(Sarah gym, david pe) and here we are hanging out after school. Can you believe this was at 6:00 p.m.!! Kids are still at school at that time of night!
Despite limited internet access on weekends and at night, I am able to access e-mail during the school day. From that I was able to print off an e-mail from Wes’s mom telling him that he is now an uncle!! You can see here that not only was he excited about the news, but he was also overjoyed to share with Masachika.
(wes uncle photos here)
This week we will be doing a lot of touring. Undoubtedly, you will be seeing many photos of Okinawan historical and tourist sights.
Until then…. じゃね！(see you later)
It sure doesn’t seem like a week since we left Iowa but here we are! Starting tomorrow, I am going to have the students do our blog, but until then, I will try to catch you up on our comings and goings.
Weighing on us all is the work that we cannot join in on back in Cedar Rapids. As we flew over on our way to Chicago, here is a part of what we saw. A day does not go by when we don’t think of the clean-up efforts back home. (cr flood picture here)
Among the other things we saw from the airplane… an Alaskan glacier and Mt. Fuji!! Mt. Fuji gave us a wonderful welcome to Japan. (Alaska glacier and mt. fuji here)
Koyo is in a very beautiful part of Japan and we can see views of the ocean from many places. (Koyo ocean)
The students are all settling in with their hosts. It is quite fun to watch them interact. The negotiation of language is extraordinary and I think both are learning a great deal. I am very proud of them and it fills me with joy to see them having so much fun. Here are the students and their hosts:
David and Saaya
Sarah-Elizabeth and Makoto
Wes and Masachika
Madeline and Fuka
Doug and Riri
Gabby and Tomoyo
Elizabeth and Kanae
Lauren and Erina
Jake and Naoki
During the first couple of days, the students had a lunch with all students who have participated in the Washington-Koyo Program over the years as. Here are some photos of that luncheon.
Students also participated in gym classes:
(Sarah gym, david pe) and here we are hanging out after school. Can you believe this was at 6:00 p.m.!! Kids are still at school at that time of night!
Despite limited internet access on weekends and at night, I am able to access e-mail during the school day. From that I was able to print off an e-mail from Wes’s mom telling him that he is now an uncle!! You can see here that not only was he excited about the news, but he was also overjoyed to share with Masachika.
(wes uncle photos here)
This week we will be doing a lot of touring. Undoubtedly, you will be seeing many photos of Okinawan historical and tourist sights.
Until then…. じゃね！(see you later)
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
In Okinawa
Leg 1: Cedar Rapids to Chicago - 1 hour
Leg 2: Chigago to Tokyo - 13 hours
Leg 3: Tokyo to Okinawa 3 hours
We arrived in Okinawa to the smiling faces that have become familiar over the last 2 years. My former hosts showed up to greet us along with our hosts this year. After just 10 hours with our hosts, we came to school already today. Here, we discovered that our performance for the school is this afternoon!! With such short notice, the students prepared a `dance` that they performed. Here is a video of it:
I am so proud of them, they threw that together in just 4 hours!! Way to go WHS kids!!
Starting tomorrow, I will hopefully have the students start writing the blogs. I think you will find them interesting.
More tomorrow!!
Leg 2: Chigago to Tokyo - 13 hours
Leg 3: Tokyo to Okinawa 3 hours
We arrived in Okinawa to the smiling faces that have become familiar over the last 2 years. My former hosts showed up to greet us along with our hosts this year. After just 10 hours with our hosts, we came to school already today. Here, we discovered that our performance for the school is this afternoon!! With such short notice, the students prepared a `dance` that they performed. Here is a video of it:
I am so proud of them, they threw that together in just 4 hours!! Way to go WHS kids!!
Starting tomorrow, I will hopefully have the students start writing the blogs. I think you will find them interesting.
More tomorrow!!
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