鶴甲小学校 Elementary School Day

Went to an elementary school for the afternoon. It was very fun! This is my class of 7 year olds. They were so cute :) We played games and they tried to teach me japanese.





We played a color game. They are all hollering the word Yellow :)

着物 Kimono Day!!!

Today we got to be princesses and wear a Kimono!
It took over 30 minutes to put on with a crew of ladies tugging and pulling in all directions. Awesome!

Green Tea Ceremony:

Fluffy Clouds Presents: Kaiten Sushi

Feeling journalistic, I made you guys some really dorky videos about this Kaiten Sushi Restaurant by my house.
Enjoy :)

Another Cool Happening at the Shrine!

Lots of people were at the shrine today. Unfortunately, I don't know why. There was a long line to pray at the shrine front, so obviously, me and Stevie waited in it :) Clanking the shrine bell, bowing, and clapping twice is one of my favorite things to do.
There were many food vendors.


Entrance to the shrine:



This weekend I went to this groovy curry restaurant with a friend. I'm becoming a pro at sitting on my knees!

Bonfire at the Shrine!

On the way home from school, we had a bonfire at the shrine. I don't understand what was happening, but all the good luck bamboo branches and charm things were burned. Notice in the video how this lady appears and hands one of the police-looking men her own New Years Good Luck things and they toss them into the fire. Also notice how people are pulling little burnt pieces away from the fire...they put them in a baggy and go back home.





It's really really cold in my house.





Yesterday we got snowflurries! It was so exciting!





I also was so excited to skype with my parents that I took a photo of them.

Tokyo in all it's New Year's Glory!

Went to Tokyo with Kyohei and visited his dad and grandma! It was the New Year, so following Japanese Tradition, we went to the shrines to ask for good luck!

The shrines were all extremely crowded. Look at all the people trying to get in through the gate!

In the middle of the shrine path area, before the actual shrine building itself, there is this little incense thing, where good luck is achieved by flailing the smoke towards your head.





The view from Kyohei's Grandma's apartment in Kichijoji:


The traditional new years meal Osechi which Kyohei's Grandma so lovingly prepared. It was so delicious! Each food piece represent some sort of meaning for the new year.

Kyohei's Dad on our ordering telephone at the fancy sushi restaurant.

Magestic Fuji-san, peaceful sitting on the land of the rising sun!

Finally, a short video so you can see how crowded Tokyo is:

You Tube!!!

I made an account on You Tube an uploaded a bunch of fun videos about Japan.
Check em!


This one is at school during the Mt.Rokko University Festival. There was an all night party in the different classrooms...and this was one of them:



My neighborhood:



Stevie and I with one of the talking deer in Nara. It's soooo cute:





This is at Andy's Imagine. One of the neighborhood bars :) The guy singing is a magician...



Rock Paper Scissors game at its most intense:



A bar with couches!



Typical night chillin at the Izakaya:



Finally, a very bizarre concert presenting Anal Gembe:






have fun!