Random encounter

Everyone once in awhile God gives us these random encounters that keeps us in awe. Today was one such day. A group of us were walking toward the Takamori campus which is essentially in a neighbor area. Usually, on these walks we will encounter the random MeySen Family that will acknowledge us or the random person that will try to run to the other side of the road to avoid getting mugged by Gaijin (foreigners). Then there are days like today...

A 50 year old Japanese (*surprise) man walks up and says "how are you" in broken English. Generally, we thought eh that's kind of odd but we will keep walking. He then goes on to say that hes not fine. He's bipolar and going through a really tough time. Now were all like whoa and I'm even half feeling uncomfortable at his nonchalant ability to give deep details of his life to random people. At the same time, when someone is feeling down you want to try to help them the best you can even if it is to just listen.

He goes on to talk all about his life in somewhat understandable English. He spent time in America studying at Tennessee and made some random references about them winning a national champion in the 70s and other random tidbits about being picked on as a kid and what not. It was all kind of blurred together. He also talked about how he was having a really rough time lately because his parents were killed in the Tsunami and he had no real family. He also had a difficult decision because he has citizenship in the US and could move back there or stay. (I swear this is all within 5 minutes of saying hello to this guy.) He then goes on to say how he was a Christian and talked about a church he goes to and how the pastor there is helping him deal with his depression.

We finally got to a point where we were going to be late for our meeting but didn't want to leave a person who was extremely depressed alone. (Hopefully not that this was an issue but Japan is known to have one of the highest suicide rates in the world). Brian, one of our teachers, offered to pray for him. I don't like to act hokey about things but I could feel Gods presence through my whole body in that moment.  As we all prayed, the man started weeping. You could see a deep change in his demeanor as soon as we finished, almost like a ton of bricks flew off his shoulders.

I don't know what will happen to that guy or if I will ever see him again but in that moment I know that God made a difference in that mans life through us. Its amazing how powerful a random encounter can be. 

Thanksgiving

With the passing of Thanksgiving in America, its reminded me of a lot of things I am thankful for over this past year. Its crazy when I look back at last year during Thanksgiving and where I am this year for Thanksgiving. This year was my first year in my 26 years of existence that I didn't spend Thanksgiving at my house with all my family. Because I was away, I had the bright idea to wake up at 5AM to skype with my family for dinner. I was also hoping to catch a Lions win but that their loss was at least one thing that kept with the tradition.

Seeing all the food made me want to jump through the screen and steal a plate. Unfortunately, Emeril has yet to invent "smellovision." I kind of felt like a quadriplegic because someone had to constantly aim me in the direction of something going on (Thanks Karly). But outside of eating the actual food it kind of felt like normal thanksgiving. Everyone huddled around food, me being the youngest child trying to do anything for attention. The only major difference was that I was 6,000 miles away huddled in my freezing apartment wrapped in my fleece blanket and heading to teach Japanese children a few hours later. Though watching my family eat was a bittersweet experience I am definitely thankful for the decision I've made to come here and continue to do what I'm doing. Even though, I can't be with my family, it feels like I am with a family everyday I come to work (cue collective "awwww").

Also, we were blessed with a great Thanksgiving meal Saturday put on by Samaritans Purse. This organization has been working with MeySen and GrapeCity since the major earthquake and tsunami to help the effected regions by us. Heading in there, I felt almost like a random Japanese person gawking at all these foreign looking people. Its very rare to see someone who doesn't look Japanese and doesn't work at MeySen in Sendai. The group seemed like a very giving and friendly bunch and seemed to fit right in with a lot of the staff here.

Delicious Turkey

Our Gospel singing entertainment for the night

People starting to line up for the food

The food was awesome! Since moving here, I've gotten more used to Japanese food but develop a longing for American meat and potatoes coooking. There was plenty of it. Turkey, Mashed Potatoes, stuffing, rolls, a billion different desserts.  All kinds of things Id take for granted living in the US. I think my eyes were bigger than my stomach though because I tried to eat 2 platefuls and felt full for the rest of the night.

Its events like this I feel so thankful for the school that I work at and the experiences I'm having feeling at my home a world away from home.


PS: GO BLUE! About time they beat that school from Ohio

Boyz 2 Men Concert in Sendai

As a kid growing up I remember blaring "Motown Philly" everywhere I went. Granted I was 6 years old when it came out but I've always had a love for R&B. If I had to pick the top R&B group of my generation it would hands down be Boyz II Men. They just got that soul that's missing in a lot of today's music. (Crap I'm already saying back in my day, I'm getting old haha). A few months ago, I randomly bought a Boyz 2 Men CD I found on the clearance rack at a second hand store. Since then, I've been blaring there music from my classroom and driving around Sendai.

As luck would have it, my friend and I found out that they were going to be playing in Sendai. In all honesty, I would have listened to the Wiggles live just to hear a group that speaks English perform in Japan. Luckily for me it was a group that I've always appreciated. The tickets were 8500 Yen ($110) but Japanese money is like Monopoly money to me so I figured what the heck, I'm in. Now in the US, if I paid over $100 for a concert I'd expect to have seats on the stage and an all access pass. In Japan, thats a pretty average price for a main stream concert from what I hear. Basically, I just had to answer the question: When will I ever see Boyz II Men in concert in Japan again? 

Tonight, they did not disappoint. I was almost as interested in going to see culturally how Japanese people interact at this concert as I was to see them perform. Most of the people were probably mid 30s-40s from the looks and many looked like they came from work to watch the concert. From the opening number on, everyone was having a good time. I kind of got lost in the moment and felt like I was back in America listening to them sing. 

Going into the concert, I wasn't sure how they'd sound. I've heard bands in the past as they get older losing a little something. We even joked before about them going from Boyz II Men to Men II Depends. From the opening number, their vocals were on point. You'd hardly notice they were missing a member of the group. 

Some of my favorite highlights were their Motown renditions that would rival the original artists and their cover of Journey's "Open Arms". All their hits were awesome. Every time bands that have been around for a while start saying "Hey this is off our new album" is usually my cue to use the bathroom. But honestly, even the new stuff sounded pretty great. 

The only low of their set was toward the end when they had a dig at America that kind of sounded like Sour Grapes. They thanked Japan for still having love for them even though back home people in America don't  "appreciate" them anymore. Though its probably true that they don't get Bieber hype,  there's no need to talk down to your American fan base that may actually be in the audience. Also, it was kind of funny seeing the language barrier as they talked with the audience. Obviously, I was probably about 1 of 10 fluent English speakers in the audience but they sang and talked in only English. They almost sounded like they were talking to kindergarteners at times until they brought out a translator at the end. 

All in all the Boyz still got it. It was definitely a great decision for my Wednesday night. Definitely one of those situations that I think: how did my life come to this point that I'd be sitting  here listening to Boyz II Men in the middle of Japan.

Halloween in Japan/Field Trip

People may wonder what they do for Halloween in Japan. Well Japanese stores love to celebrate pretty much everything possible in hopes of selling things. But outside of the hallmark idea of Halloween, they don't do much. Actually, there are a lot of random teenagers and twenty somethings that regularly dress up as Pikachu or something random. On a given weekend, you will see some caricature randomly walking around downtown Sendai and taking pictures with kids.

Archery Game Station

Fishing Station

Japanized Spiderman

crazy creature we found at our field trip last week

A view from the pond at the museum

Our school tries to give a more American style celebration with Jamboree! Basically, all the kids come to school on a Saturday night and play a ton of games and dress up in costumes. I got to relive my childhood I dreams and be black Spiderman. I started the night hanging out by the street in full costume. I'd love to know what the random Japanese people were thinking as they drove by. From there, we got together with our students. I told my kids I was going to be batman so they were a little surprised when Spiderman started talking to them. Kids from other classes still call me Spiderman when I see them. There a bunch of random funny stories that night but I waited too long to make this post and forgot the good parts. I did embarass one of my students when they called all the Cowboys and Indian costumes to take pictures together. He was dress as a person from India and technically the only Indian but was sent back to his seat.

Here is a great picture of my class at Jamboree. You may have to scroll until you see spiderman:http://www.meysen.ac.jp/immersion/photo/2011/1022imfc/PTflash.htm
Also here is  a great video of what it was like, a few of my students make a cameo:http://www.meysen.ac.jp/immersion/video/
If you're bored you can check out the camp day 1 video. It was a blast and you might get to hear my beautiful singing voice.