THINGS THAT MATTER

It's spring break this week, which means the students are off of school but us teachers still have to go into work everyday...thus freeing up time for me to reflect and just prepare for this next school year. With the spare time I've had, I've found a moment to reflect on a few things in life that matter. 

*FAMILY*

As far away as I live and as many independent experiences I am having over here in Japan, my family still knows me best. Specifically my sister who sent me this package full of the most incredible things i.e a note from my nieces, a missions prayer card for church friends, rifle paper coasters (needed those!!), a journal called "fresh courage" which helps you recall all the times in life God has been faithful (amen!!), an adorable bathing suit for Hawaii (in a month), and a book from my dad (see below). It's the simple things from people that know your heart so well that matter. Thank you sissy.

*PRAYER*

My goal for this lent season has been to focus on developing a deep habit of prayer. My dad, being the awesome father that he is, sent me this book along with this note inside - "Chan, this is the best book I've ever read on prayer. Consider the teacher: Christ. May we pray for Japan! Love, Dad" I love my dad for so many reasons, but most of all I love him for the heart he has for the Lord and for prayer. He is an incredible role model and leader. Thanks pops! 

*WORSHIP*

Music is a gift from God and recently a few worship albums/songs/artists have really been blessing me and filling me with so much joy and encouragement. 
ALBUMS YOU MUST LISTEN TO: Tell All My Friends (Will Reagan), Glory & Wonder (Mosaic MSC)
LOTFS (LAY ON THE FLOOR SONGS): Endless Ocean, Bottomless Sea (David Helser), and Yes and Amen (housefires) (the quote above is from this song)

*CONVERSATIONS*

Over the past few weeks I've had some incredible conversations of fellowship with friends God has blessed me with here. Three specific moments come to mind:

1. The other weekend I spent Sunday afternoon with my friend Yuki. We went to Tokyo coffee festival, a bakery, and then had dinner together. The whole time God really blessed our conversation and we were both able to share things we've been learning through recent relationships. Althought Yuki and I come from different backgrounds and beliefs, God gave us a chance to be honest and share our hearts in a cool way and really listen to one another and learn!
 
2. Just this past Saturday I was able to meet up with my friends Rachel and Jessica, CA natives living in Japan doing ministry with Campus Crusade (CRU). We went to this fancy icecream place but funny enough, we were so wrapped up in conversation that we didnt pay much attention to the delicious desserts ha! God blessed us with incredible fellowship and conversation about living out obedience, challenges in ministry in Japan, and the hopes we have for the future of this country. Then, we went to shakeys and had a pizza buffet for dinner. What could be better?

3. Sunday after church, I headed to Roppongi to have a tea party with a bunch of new friends. Three from CA, one from the east coast, and one from NZ! We sat around the table, drinking tea, eating delicious snacks. and laughing our butts off talking about the most random things. I was amazed sitting there, how God brought us all together in the middle of Tokyo Japan at that precise moment all for various reasons (teaching, the embassy, google..)! God is the author and creator of our lives and He paints a better picture than we could ever dream up.
 

I am thankful for God's reminder about the things in life that matter. 

GRADUATION 2017

One of the coolest parts about being a teacher is witnessing the very obvious growth and maturity develop in your students and then sending them off to the next adventure!

For High School graduation in Japan, all of the students wear their uniforms (and have strict rules on how to style their hair) and are given a flower boutonniere (had to google how to spell that) to wear. 

Instead of walking across the stage when their names are called (like in the states), student's names are called by their homeroom teacher and they yell "YES!" and stand up. Once the whole class is called then the class representative walks to the front and receives the diploma. 

The bowing is VERY formal and impressive. 

The first year students watch from the balcony while the second year students sit behind the graduates on the floor. 

Packed house!

The senior homeroom teachers have a special role, since they walked their class through all three years of high school. Ikai sensei, third from right, only had 12 students in his class so while he was reading each name out he was weeping! I really felt his fatherly love for these kids and how much he went through with them. The teacher-student bond in Japan is truly something special. 

A lot of formal speeches are given, a LOT of bowing, sitting, standing happen...and then after 2 hours the students make their exit. 

After the ceremony, students head back to their classrooms to have one last homeroom where they sign yearbooks, rebel against the system by signing their uniform shirts, and hear one last speech from their homeroom teacher. 

Class 3A had a party that I stopped by at. They ate a bunch of snacks, watched their video from when they went to Torrance, took a ton of photos, and signed one another's yearbooks. I got a bit emotional thinking about the fact that it could possibly be the last time I see them! 

Tanaka sensei, their homeroom teacher, made a toast and the students gave one last class cheer. It is truly an amazing experience to witness a Japanese High School Graduation. I was blessed to be a part of it! 

FLOWER DAY

Living in Japan, I have gained a deeper appreciation for springtime and the beauty that comes after the cold of winter. Thank you Lord for new life and the beauty of your creation!  

I went in to the Ginza/Tsukiji area to Hamarikyu gardens to check out these incredible yellow (rapeseed) flowers. 

A lot of legit photographers were there and my favorite was this old man who had all his gear and looked so pro. He was in this one spot for a long time trying to get a shot of a few birds flying over the flowers. 

And this little grandma was so cute! 

I bought some dango as a snack and not only did it look rad with the flowers in the background but they tasted amazing as well! There were also a few wedding shoots happening and all I wanted to do was follow them around and take pics of the beautiful kimonos with the flowers!

From a certain angle it looked like the people were floating in a sea of yellow!

I met up with my friends, the Lims, and we walked over to the tea house area to check it out.

Thanks Nathalie for these pics ;) 

Nathalie had the brilliant idea to frame some flowers! stunning right!?

After taking pics and enjoying the scenery, we took the train a few stops over to Mitsukoshimae to go to an exhibit called FLOWERS by NAKED (I think they could have chosen a better name) 

The exhibit was a bunch of paper flowers (mixed with a few real ones) and it was pretty fancy and VERY TOKYO. Loved spending time with friends being inspired by such beauty!

And lastly, following my recent flower inspiration, I bought a new phone case. It's forsure the girliest phone case I've ever owned and a few 16-year-old-freepeople-loving-high-school-girls must have the same one as me but it felt very fitting for this season in life so I considered it worth it! 
**p.s...I can hear my sister saying "you wear so much black!" hahaa**

GOAL FOR APRIL : SEE AS MANY FLOWERS AS POSSIBLE AND PRAISE GOD FOR EVERY SINGLE ONE!

KELCIE VISITS PART III/III

Last post on my time with Kelc and Shimmy...

After we went to Atami castle we then headed back to Odawara to check out Odawara castle! Castle day!

There were some more early blooming sakura in front of this beautiful white and turquoise hotel and it made for the most epic color scheme! 

Wouldn't be Japan without an "ashiyu" (onsen for your feet) at the local train station. There was a vending machine next to it that sold towels you could buy for $1 to wipe off your feet after. 

We grubbed on soba noodles for lunch and then walked to the castle...

Bright white walls with old wood and bricks...stunning! 

A little insight into how they make the castle structure.

This might be my favorite pic from the day. Trying to make the most of the rain.

We ended the day going to this coffee shop I had seen photos of online and wanted to check out...but it was already CLOSED!! BOO. We didn't let that get us down though, and we used the benches as shelter from the rain a bit before walking back to the station and heading home.

That concludes Kelcie and Shimmys' visit! I was very thankful for the time spent with them and for the chance to explore a few new places in this beautiful country. Praise the Lord for sisters in Christ! 

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing pslams, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hears to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." 
Colossians 3: 15-17

KELCIE VISITS - PART II/III

After a cozy night sleep at our airbnb, Kelc, Shimmy and I woke up early Monday morning to get the most out of our day. There was rain in the forecast but we didn't let that stop us from adventuring out to Atami city.

From Odawara station we took the train about 30 minutes to Atami station. The train ride over was honestly SO DOPE. I was freaking out the whole time. The train cruises high up on the mountains overlooking the ocean and it was breathtaking. I wish that was my daily commute! 

At this point I realized I wasn't in the big city anymore.

From the station we took a bus 10 minutes to Atami castle. I had seen a photo of this place via instagram and knew I had to check it out. The ropeway is apparently the "shortest ropeway in Japan" lol and cost about $5 roundtrip. 

mid post interruption---next to the castle there is this very inappropriate museum that we didn't know about until we got there. So once you get up to the top of the ropeway you have NO CHOICE but to walk through the entrance of this inappropriate museum just to get to the castle. WHY JAPAN?? WHY??? We walked there once and thought "this cannot be the way..." and pleaded with the people to show us the correct way to the castle but they insisted "that is the way." WHAT? Who's idea was that?? So literally, with two hands on the side of our faces shielding what was in view, we ran past the museum entrance out the door to the castle. PHEW. I mention this just to warn any of those who plan to visit this very beautiful place...please find a way to get to the bus stop that drops you off in front of the castle and avoid the ropeway (although the ropeway is awesome)! 

Alright, so once at the entrance to the castle we saw this incredible view with early cherry blossoms in bloom. Looking down at the coast I couldn't help but be reminded of honolulu.

We then payed about $8 to enter the castle. Most shrines and castles in Japan are free, but I think Atami castle is more of a tourist spot than a religious or historical place so they have turned it into a bit of a profit machine. Plus, it does offer an amazing view that is worth paying for! 

whoaaaaa...literally a castle in the sky! 

The castle had a mountain view side and an ocean view side. The best of both worlds. 

These three kids in matching mickey sweaters were running laps around the castle and it was so cute. Pure happiness. 

We ended our Atami Castle tour with some yummy ice cream because, even on a rainy day, ice cream is always good. I loved being in a totally new place just wandering around and exploring. Although we did run into a few unexpected things, being with Kelc and Shimmy made it all so much fun!

Nothing better than a new city with old friends.