Fantasy Sumo!

So we decided to compete against each other in Fantasy Sumo during the most recent sumo tournament and it was exciting to see Joanna and Rachel (Jorach) in second place after 4 days of the tournament. Today I looked at the recent standings after 6 days and who passed Jorach, but Januck of course! We are currently 3rd and 4th place. Who knows if it will last but hey, Life Should Be Fun!

 After Day 4

Woohoo!!!!!

Bamboo Fun!

Last year we went bamboo shoot hunting (or digging) and we had so much fun! I even put a bamboo shoot on my head with one of the kids there and got a picture along with a picture of our bamboo shoot hunting crew. Joanna shared with me that the kid who I put a bamboo shoot on my head with made a picture inspired by that day. Enjoy!

 The picture!

 The Crew!

So...much...FUN!

Tree Blossoming Time

Last Saturday we decided to take the train down the peninsula to see the trees blooming at this time of year. It was such a beautiful day but so crowded. On the train down we didn't think we would get a seat but luckily many people got off at the first stop and we were able to sit. On the way back, we were last in line to catch the train back up but once the first train stopped, many people got on and we were third in line for the next train. It was awesome because there were no seats left but as we got on we saw two seats and we were luckily enough to get them. I asked Joanna about Rachel and she said she found a single seat so we were all able to sit on the hour plus train ride back. What a beautiful day!

 It was Girl's Day and this shrine had dolls lined up on the steps to the shrine.

 Crazy busy.

 Beautiful.

 More beautiful?

Most beautiful. Not me but them and it!

Silly but smelling the blossoms.

Down by the water.

 The insane train platform.

Poor guy! Tuckered out from the day! (Okay, I took this picture of myself but I was still really tired!)

Weekend Walk

After a wonderful dinner on Friday night, Rachel and I decided to go to Baskin Robbins which is a bit of a trek but it is always worth it. We took the bus and then decided to get off before our regular stop because of traffic. We think the bus driver was a bit annoyed because we rang the bell close to our stop and as we started walking to exit the bus while it was still moving, the driver slammed on his brakes and we both almost ended up on the floor. Rachel remembers me swinging around the pole in the bus as I lost my balance.

On our way we always pass by a batting cage that I once went with my coworkers and it took convincing but I finally got Rachel to stop and hit a couple of balls. My wrist was still sore from falling during P.E. during the week so I favored my other wrist and we had a lot of fun. I have to say that there is a huge difference between hitting in the 65 km/hr cage and the 110 km/hr cage. I don't know how the major leaguers do it. Oh, and my body was so sore the next few days, especially the sides of my back due to my batting stance.

After finally getting to Baskin Robbins, we couldn't believe the line out the door. It turns out that our cell phone company has Super Fridays where they have promotions at local businesses. This time it was Baskin Robbins that was having a Free Scoop night and we just happened to walk apon it. We get the coupon on our phone but we usually delete it because we normally can't read it but wished we had kept it this time. Rachel said that for the next month, every Friday is Super Friday at Baskin Robbins so it looks like we'll be going there every Friday for awhile!

 Rachel Trout!

 Our line.

 Out the door!

 Packed inside.

 Packed outside with barely any parking.

Our ultimate reward!

Family

I am so thankful for my family. I think about the 29 years that Joanna and I have married and how we have two amazing kids who continue to amaze us. Rachel is about to embark on her new career and Alex just released a new song and video today. Time flies and I think about all of the things I could have done or should have done but I've realized that I need to look forward to all the things that will happen. I've had a great year teaching with Joanna and no matter what happens next year, I will always cherish this year that we have been able to teach together. Can't wait to see what next school year brings!

More Culture Club

Every Tuesday our fourth grade students have a culture club where they learn about Japanese culture. Mine is Tea Ceremony and Joanna's is Flower Arranging. I love Tea Ceremony because along with the green tea, we get a cultural snack. They are always delicious and creative. Next week is our last culture club and the students' parents will come to watch how the students do. I will certainly miss the treats. The students always laugh because I like to take a picture of what we are about to eat. Every thing is edible except for the plate and paper!

Pet Cemetery

I don't know why but at the beginning of the year there were many dead bugs around the classroom and outside. For some bizarre reason, and I'm still not sure why, I decided to start a class Pet Cemetery using a plastic container that I somehow acquired. I wrote Sun Class Pet Cemetery on the outside and as the year went on, dead bugs kept getting added to it. Some students were totally disgusted and others were totally intrigued. We kept it going until last week when we were walking around our local park observing Winter and I decided that it would be a good time to put them to rest. We took the bugs with us and at the end of class, we buried the bugs (pets). They all sang a solemn song that we sang during Open House and many even made a cross and added flowers to the grave. It was one of the strangest ideas that I've ever had but one of the coolest.

Our Pet (Bug) Cemetery!