Nagoya Wedding

Today I just got back from Nagoya which is in the Aichi prefecture (prefectures are like states here. . .even though the whole country is smaller then California. . .hahahha). My good friend, Yukiko, got married and her and her husband are from Nagoya but live in Tokyo. But actually soon they will be moving back to Aichi. . .I don't think Nagoya but Aichi.

Nagoya is known for throwing lavish weddings and for me. . . I have nothing to compare to but here is the run down on a Japanese wedding. . . it's by far WAY more lavish then any American wedding I've been to. First off. . .neither Yukiko or her husband come from rich families and neither are really extravagant people. I don't think I've ever seen a name brand on either of them. Yukiko is a really relaxed girl who is adorably herself. Alot of her cloths her mother makes. So I'm assuming this wedding was just the norm. . . but it was anything but that for me. :) I had a lot of fun! I felt like I was at a celebrity wedding.

First. . . when I got there it was at a hotel and it was an Italian looking hotel. We signed in which was normal and got a wedding brochure thingy. . .this was all normal. I knew I was special though because I was the only foreigner there. . .and most of these people are close friends/ family to Yukiko and Takuya. (In Japan the wedding itself can just be family and that's normal. The second party is where all the friends come. . . there were like 200 at the second party of Yukiko's and Takuya's.) I think there were about 70 people there. I was really honored. But scared at the same time. . .hee hee hee. After signing in we were able to have a drink if we cared to.

Second we went into the cellar where the wedding was held. It was really cool and intimate. THere was wine all along the walls and it was really beautiful and dimly lit. We had pews to sit in and it was just beautiful.

Third. ..after the wedding we went into the dinning hall which was SO beautiful! Wow. . . we had name cards and at each seat was a gift bag. . . not a little thingy that is clear and is a party favor at like. . .a kids party but a really nice bag with 3 boxes in it. . 1 was a sponge cake! 1 was a beautiful catalog you are allowed to order 1 thing for free from as a gift(these gifts range from pajamas to a new frying pan, to a nice purse, to Burberry perfume, to food, to . . . anything), and 1 was 2 nice hand towels. Also the table to beautifully decorated. . .also a million utensils. .I know a lot of you are use to using more then 1 fork or spoon but there were 3 knives, 2 forkes, 2 spoons, and like 5 glasses. . . .hahahahha. . .I had no idea what to do with sooo much dish ware. We had champaign, beer, wine, water, etc on each table to chose from. Japanese people love beer.

fourth What else. . . . oh, so we sat down and they came in and they brought out pizza to each table. Yukiko and Takuya did. It was cute. . . they wanted to welcome us all. . . so the pizza was the appetizer I believe. After that the . . what I thought was the main course came out. . it was a rice dish and pasta. One side was rice and one side was pasta and ontop of the pasta was a whole crab. . it was a small crab but still a freaking crab.

fifth. . .I was soo full from the "main course". But then they took those plates and brought out Tai which is a celebratory fish in Japan. It was Tai with some veggies. . . mmm. . main course 2?

Sixth after the Tai (I tried it. . .but was sooo full. . oh, just to let you know I've been eating more and more fish because of working at a junior high school we have fish at least twice a week) they brought out a beef dish with mashed potatoe and veggies. . . I tried it but was sooo full still.

seventh. . . they brought out ice cream!!!! I was sooo excited because I love ice cream and it was sherbet which I really love too. I have to say I ate it all. hahahaha.

Eighth but after the sherbet they then brought out lovely pieces of cake. . .with a strawberry, grape, and melon piece on top. It was beautiful and tasted very nice. . .but I didn't finish it.

That was the end of the never ending meal. . .hahahah. . . .oh, but in the middle of the reception. . . Yukiko and Takuya changed their clothes!!!! She first wore a white dress and then changed into a beautiful salmon colored dress. He was in a nice tux/ suit and then he changed into kind of a loung suit with a fancy hankerchief thingy . . . hard to explain.

We had a slide show during the wedding. . .an amazing song sung by 3 cousins and 2 sisters. . amazing. Also an interesting song sung by the groom (he didn't know about this) and 4 guys who dressed up as women who loved him. . it was funny. The bride and groom went around and lit each tables candles. . . The bride and groom thanked their parents. . . etc.

After the wedding I went to my hotel. A couple at my table were soo kind and drove me to my hotel and picked me up an hour later to take me to a famous castle in Nagoya but it was closed. We then went to the 2nd party at 6pm. When we came in we payed and got a bingo card and a polaroid taken of us. Next we sat down and guess what! They brought out the food. . .hahahhaha. . .the wedding itself ended at 3pm and this was at 6pm. . I was not hungry at all but I'd just paid like 60 dollars so I was going to eat. It was good food too . . . .spagetti. . .pork slices, fried chicken (not like KFC but nice), salad, sandwiches. . .etc. . .more like party food. We played Bingo where people won a PSP, Wii , Work out ball, Coffee, 100 dollars, etc. crazy huh? It was a lot of fun to see all the people come together to celebrate Yukiko and Takuya. Seriously the second party was crazy!!! hahhahahahha.

I also know for a fact that there was 3rd party because Yukiko told me her mom made her a dress for it. hahahhaha. crazy huh? It was lovely.



I took the Shinkansen for the first time! It's like a space shuddle train. Very fast though. It usually by car takes 4 hours to Nagoya but by this train it took 1 hr and 40 minutes. but it cost me 20,000 yen too which is like 200 dollars.



Yukiko and Takuya (she's in her white dress)



Here they are lighting everyone's candles



This is Ai who is the crazy but wonderful lady who I sat by at the reception. Her and her boyfriend, Teppe, took me around Nagoya.



At the end of the second party Yukiko and Takuya had to go through a tunnel of people to leave. it was funny.





I love Yukiko (oh, they gave out suckers at the end of the second party as favors)



I love Takuya too ;)

Kamahira Ageo Junior High School

Here are two pics of my school. I'll take more later on in the year but I wasn't sure if it was okay or no. :)

The outside is the front of the school and that inside pic is the teacher's room. We all are just in one big room and the front of the room is where the principle and vice principle sit. Except the Principle has his own room. . . kinda.

You can see my desk. . it's on the right and there is a gray coat with black wrists. IT's like 5 chairs down.


Okay, I want to say also how much I really love this job and how much I love the teachers and students!!!! It's challenging at times just because . . . it's a new job still and jobs can be challenging but I can say that for like 90 percent of the time I'm enjoying it. I am soooooo blessed.

What's new. . . Oh, I got my bike stollen again but I got a cheap one for like 70 bucks and a second lock for it too. . .

I went to our school's welcoming party last Friday which was after work at 6pm and it was pretty fun. hahhahahah. . . my co-workers are pretty funny. Especially the older one's. It was an expensive party but it was worth it in the end. I had to give a little welcoming speech which was fun and it impressed all the teachers that I spoke in Japanese. . .even though all of them know I speak Japanese pretty well. . .well, for them they think I speak well but on the other side of the table I still feel incompetent. . . I mean I know what I know but I don't know a lot still. . .I know the word for spring but not for summer. . . for example.

I've become close friends with Kawaho Maya which is the new PE teacher. She helped me buy a new bike for at the station where I work because if I don't bike I have to walk 30 minutes to work. Also my company pays for the bike :) yay! Before the party she took me over to her house where I met her lovely mother. Very nice people.

It's funny. . . I've been at Kamahira for 2 weeks now going on 3 and its taken this long for a few of the teachers to even say 1 word to me. The morning of the party one man, Kurozu. . .he teaches math to 2nd year students, finally spoke to me and I thought he was this kind of rigid. . . stern man but completely opposite!!! He's just very very very very shy and very nice. He was nice to talk to. He spoke to me in English too which was very nice. I've come to truly realize that Japanese men are some of the shyest people I've met and that they can be very nice people but won't speak to you.

Oh, I played volleyball with the volleyball club (which is just the Volleyball team) this week too. . .I was dead afterwards and my arms actually got full on bruised. . . like not just red but BRUISED!!! My left hand on the rist area was purple and is now just turning yellowish purple. . .and there were little red dots where the blood vessels broke ALL over my fore arm. On my right arm it was really gross. . . probably the biggest bruise I've ever gotten on the underside of my fore arm ( I don't know why the under part) and it extended 3/4 of the way down to the wrist. . .also with the broken blood vessels on the top part. My knees are pretty gross too because I didn't wear knee pads. Oops. Stupid me. But it was really fun and I got a good work out. I'm still slightly sore.

Well, that is that for work. . I get up at 5am every morning (well, 4:50 when I didn't have a bike) and I go to bed by 10pm every night but sometimes as early as 8:50 (only once when I was soooo tired). My life has changed drastically becuase of this job. I love it though. I love the changes and I love the lives I'm affecting being here. I love interacting with the kids and the adults. It's sooooo much fun. God is good and has blessed me. Pray that I can glorify Him in all I do.

Melody! Melody! Melody!

I just started my new job as an assistant English teacher and so far I am loving it!!!

My first day I didn't teach but just introduced myself to the other teachers and prepared my introductions with all the students. I had a lot of fun and there are 2 other teachers who are new also which is nice. We are all about the same age too which is fun.

So far I've taught the 3rd year students and most of the 2nd year students but I have the first year and 2 of the second year students to teach also.

My English teachers are:

3rd year: Hyuga Sensei: she is a great teacher to teach with. She's great with the kids and really knows how to handle the class. She's in her late 40's. She's very motherly looking. Sweater and turtle neck look.

2nd year: Yuko Sensei: She is in her early 40's and is very little. She has a hard time communicating in English with me but her pronunciation is good. She's very nice but it's hard for me to completely understand what she wants me to do. Or what she's thinking.

1st year: Kawamata Sensei: He is in his late 40s or even early 50's. He is a smokey man. . .a man of few words but is kind. He is WAY laid back and may go well or may not go well team teaching with him. we'll see. I'm a bit worried to teach with him.

1st/ 2nd year: Tatsuya (Urano) Sensei: He's the new teacher. I'm not sure how this will go seeing as he's not very confidant in his teaching skills and neither am I but we are both looking to each other for guidance but end up with nothing. . . nah, that's not true but it did take us like and hour and a half to decide on a lesson plan for our classes together where as the other teachers basically gave me a 10 minute gist and I then planned alone and checked it with them. Tatsuya needed a step by step meeting. . . which is fine seeing as he and Kawaho sensei (new pe teacher) and I are kind of a clan as the newbies.

Kawaho sensei is a good friend too. she's really nice and has already invited me to have a drink or dinner with her. We also hopefully will go bowling sometime :) she is alot busier then me since she is a real teacher unlike me as an assistant :) She's also a well known softball player in japan I guess. . . not professional but 1st draft from college I think. But is soooo sweet and was super welcoming to me.

Everyone at school has been very welcoming. The school counselor has driven me to the station twice since I have to walk to and from school. She was soooo kind.

The students are amazing too. . . all of them shout out my name when they see me. hahahhah "Melody! Melody! Melody!" or "Hellllllooooooo Melody!" :) hee hee heee. I love hearing them call my name out. I love speaking with them every day. :) I hope they enjoy hanging out with me too.

Thanks for all your prayers! I know that God heard your voices and that was why my week was great. I pray that this next week is as amazing. I still have 1st year introductions and then I will be teaching my first lessons with 3rd and 2nd years. Please pray for me. Sorry if I haven't kept it touch but I love you all and pray you're doing well.

Melody

"Enchanted"

So I've decided I'm 100% romantic and I'm sure you all knew that before me. . .

I just watched the movie "Enchanted" and I'd heard good and bad things about it but I say. . . that you will either love it or hate it. . .but please go in with the idea that it's NOT serious! If you think this then you may enjoy it more then if you are expecting some serious love story.

But on the other hand I love it. . . the girl makes me laugh soooo hard. I love her attitude.

I've decided I do want prince charming and I don't think it's too much to ask for :) In the sense that I want to fall in love. Not just find someone who "fits". I'll wait.

Here is a clip of the movie that I really like.

Tomorrow . . .

I just wanted to ask for all your prayers for tomorrow. . . I went today to map out my way to my school and it will take me a good hour and a half to walk there. . . a little less if I dont get lost again. Means if I want to do all that I do in the morning (get ready, eat, devotion) I need to wake up on the better side of 5:30 so I can leave around 6:30 so I can get to school by 8am because morning meeting is at 8:15 and I dont want to be late my first day. Tomorrow I will buy a bicycle after school and leave it at the station which will cut my time in half to walk to school (25 minutes to walk so. . .12 minutes to bike which means I can wake up at 5:45. .heheheh. I woke up at 6am today which was good. ) . I am excited though. . . there is a sports center near my station for school! I am thinking of going there so I can just go straight after work. I get off at 4:30 instead of 5pm which is nice!

Please pray that I can make a good first impression. Its important.
Pray that my principle (kojo sensei) and my vice principle (kyoto sensei) and my English teachers (JTE) will all like me.
Pray I can connect well with the students
Pray that I will have the energy and strength from God to do this job.
Pray that I can make my school proud.
Pray that I can teach and learn how to teach better.
Pray that the Lord would be with me at this school and that I would be a good witness.
Pray that I do my BEST and not just what I can.
Pray that I love my students and co-workers
Pray that I can connect with this town too.

Please pray for me. I feel this is my first real job. . . NOVA was kind of a joke when it came to importance. BUt I really feel this job is important. I am teaching the future of Japan. . .English. . . you ALL know how horrible a speller I am. . its like the blind leading the blind. Oh, Lord have mercy :)

Thank you all you follow this blog. It means a lot to me. Thanks for the comments too. . you may not know but it means a lot to read what you have to say too.

Blessings to you all too.

"Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared. " Prov 3:25,26

"commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed" Prov 16:3

Im reading Proverbs. . .I need more wisdom.

Onsens and changing leaves

I've decided that if it's true what they say. . .a hot bath can heal all wounds. :) On monday I went to Fukushima to see my friend's, ai, family who live in Inawashiro in Fukushima. Her mother is a sweet heart and is always asking when I'll come back to see her and it always seems that when I leave I have a bag of rice in my hands. One time even Ai went up to fukushima and her mom sent some rice back for me. . .that was when Nova crashed and she heard I wasn't making any money. . .seriously a dear. Here are some pics from that trip which only lasted 2 nights and 3 days.




This is Chieko or as Tomu calls her. . .Okusan (which is a short version of Okasan which is mother in Japanese)



There was WAY too much food for her to eat and my food was pretty massive too. I'm use to pretty small portions these days but Okusan was shoveling it in me all week. I didn't complain ;)



A bit of her food. . not all of it. She loves tofu



I'm actually in a blind lady's house who does massage. I am sitting under a Kotatsu which is a table with a heater built under the table and actually there is a square hole cut out in the floor so your feet can dangle.



There was still snow in Fukushima which has a moutain for skiing and snowboarding but it was the end of the season.




Yeahhahhahahhahah! Tomu took me to an AWSOME Onsen in the hills of nowhere. It was sooo beautiful and completely like "Spirited Away" . . .minus the spirits. . ..




Here is one of the hallways



Here is the Onsen. . there was a waterfall outside the window. I took the picture with a self timer.



Stairs back up from the Onsen.



Post Onsen smile.

New Friends

I am happy to say I've found a home church! It is a ways from my house but not too bad. I am in a Bible study, part of a magazine, and part of the media team tooo. . .all this happened in like 2 months. . . more like 2 weeks. Crazy huh? I really do like my new church. It's called "Jesus Lifehouse". Last weeks sermons were amazing too. . . one was about going up the mt. with God and how our lives should change etc as we go up. It was really good. The later sermon was about loving God and if we do love God.



I don't know the name of the girl on the left but the middle girl is Nicky and then Noel



My life group leader, Tess, who is amazing!


I'm glad I found a home church here in Japan. :)

Meiko's Birthday

Last night was my friend Meiko's birthday. Her boyfriend, Chris (who is my friend too), set up a surprise b'day party for her. We went to a really nice Isakaia where we had our own room, with a really good set meal, drinks, and Karaoke for like. . . 3 hours! and it was for a good price. It was pretty fun and I hadn't seen some of the people in ages!




yayyayayya Meiko!!!!



Okay, Chris looks really red. . .but that was only after one drink. That is usual. . .



My friend Richard who is from Scottland.

Theology and Dying Sakura

Who would think we were in Shinjuku. ..




Today my friend, Amy, and I finally had time to chat and hang out in the last two weeks. I had training and she went to Korea. . . I like her reason for being busy more then mine ;) Nah, I'm really thankful to the Lord for this job. I'm nervous but thankful. You know change and me don't go so well together but I'm getting use to it. . . I did move to Japan :)

Anywhoooooooo. . . we went out to lunch and I as always over ate and am still stuffed at 6:30. . . .which is like. . .7 hours later. My metabolism is like a turtle. .and that's why I shouldn't eat sooo much. Afterwards we headed to the Canon store in Shinjuku where a friend of mine told me I could get my sensor and lenses cleaned for FREE. I was pretty excited since I don't really like cleaning my sensor myself. We dropped it off and they said to come back in 50 minutes which was great too. We headed to a park near by where they had Sakura trees. The best thing about this park was that they had tarps set out for people to have Hanami parties so we plopped ourselves down on one. It was sooo beautiful. The clouds were moving a bit so every now and then the sun would disappear but soon reappear. Amy kept taking on and off her coat. . . . her body temperature I guess changes like a . . . rabbit. .keeping with the analogy :)

As we were sitting there the Sakura leaves would fall all around us like snow. It was so beautiful. We talked a lot about life and our lives in Japan. She said that she'd changed a lot from living in London to living in Japan. I don't think I've changed anymore then I would have in America. . .I feel like life is life anywhere you are. . .hard times here and hard times there. . . amazing people here . . .amazing people there. . .etc. God is here and God is there.

Later she asked me what was the biggest thing that happend to me in my first year. . . I guess meeting Tatsuya. . . I'm still sad about the idea of pouring love into a person and then nothing coming of it. . .it's like my Lavender from last year. . . .I loved it soooo much and as it was dying I knew something was wrong and asked what I could do. I bought new soil, I trimmed it, I re-potted it. . .but nothing helped and soon I gave up on it and just let it die. I still think of that lavender. But I think of it too for example. . ..I am going to buy another one this year and my goal is to have it live longer.

Sometimes I wonder if Tatsuya ever really loved me. . . I know I broke up with him but he let go so easily and just . . . let go. . .no fight. . .no arguing. . .nothing. I love him still but I want to be loved in returned. I need a man like my dad. . .who getting dumped by my mom still pursued her because he loved her and KNEW she was who he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. . ..then again if I know the story right he dumped her twice too. . hee hee. ..but they have been married for now. .36 years? 37. . .My roommate talked about how her and her good friend had been friends for 13 years. She said "Our friendship is a teenager". I liked that analogy alot. . . .Aubs our friendship is almost 10 years old. . . Katie. . .we are . . 18 years old? 17? Bean. . . mmmm. . ..16 years old? Crazy.

Again Amy and I were talking and she brought up this guy in California she thinks is pretty cool. I guess he has this blog and he makes short films etc. Anyways. . his name is Philip Wang and she was like. . .you should marry him (actually she said this ages ago). He's super cool, handsome, and he's a Christian. LOL. Today we were talking about a blog entry he had written about why do all the nice guys finish last. Why don't girls like the good guys etc. My reply was. . . what about the nice girls? I don't want to generalize but I'm going to anyways. . .I've found that whether you're American, British, or Japanese. . .most women can look past the superficial. . .actually they can fall in love with the fact their man isn't the norm. IF a woman loves a man the looks fade away and all she sees is an amazing man. . .but for the most part. . .I hardly ever see this with the men. . maybe I'm being a bit harsh but I'm calling it as I see and have experienced. Why can't men get past the superficial? Why can't a man fall in love with a woman who isn't perfect looking? I feel like I live in a world of Jerry Seinfields. . .where every girl has a "thing" wrong with her. I know soooo many amazing girls in this world who are single and BEAUTIFUL but not A typical. (but not to say that women (myself included) aren't like this. . . I just see it more in men)

Amy and I talked about this. . I told her. . . .A. . .I don't know the guy and hahahha. .B. He'd probably not be attracted to me (If only every man saw me as my mother does ;) and C. Just because someone says they are a Christian doesn't mean that's the end all unfortunately. Dating in the Christian realm. . .to be honest. . .frightens me.

I've met nice men since Tatsuya but . . . no one that sticks out that much. . .then again its only been . . .20 days or so. I think I'm about to start my period. . . . sometimes I wish I could stop feeling because I know that my feelings aren't truth they are LIES! But I still feel them.

I can't wait to find someone who I can love and who is safe to love and not fear that our relationship will end. . . I hate divorce and I hate sin in relationships!!! why can't relationships be kept holy? Why can't that in this world be a safe place? It's hard to picture a person who will love me for this life . . . which is okay. I want to love someone who will love me like Christ and who I can love and respect in return. . . but if not I know that there is more to us then this life. . .which is like mist which will pass away. Heaven. . . someday. To be sooo near to God forever. . not the feeling of distance and closeness. . but just closeness. . ..where feelings don't rule us. . . . where truth and love reign. Where there isn't crying of pain just joy. I can't wait.

going for a run now. . .and waiting for mom to call me . . .who by the way is the most amazing mother in this world or any other world for that matter. I want to be more like her when I grow up. . .oh, wait. . I am grown up. . .but not really. 25 I hear is the new 18. . .not really but I feel like that sometimes. . .when do we feel grown up? I have this theory that Japanese men have two stages of life. . .young men and old men. . no middle aged. . .Young men till they graduate and then Old men by their first year of work. I don't see a whole lot of middle aged men here. . .maybe they are hidding. . .maybe. . .at work. Sad.

haircut/ perm

so there isn't much difference with the perm but it was a good price sooo. . . and she said it might come out quickly and if it does I can go back in for free. . .she said because my hair is virgin. I'm happy with the subtle changes with my hair. Thinking of going shorter still. . . at least in the back.




I like it. .



I really like cherry blossoms



Yukiko and I enjoying the sakura. . .

Stop growing!!!

This young lady is growing toooooooooo fast!!!! I need her to stay the same age when I come and go!!! I miss her, her sister, and her two cousins soooooo much!!!!!

Natalie!!!! Jasmine!!!!! Lily!!!!! Dahlia!!!! don't forget your aunty mel mel please!!!!








I miss these girls. . . my flower girls and christmas girl.

Hanami 2

So I had my first piano lesson today in the last .. ..like 14 years. . ..and it was pretty killer but I am sure that I will learn a lot and quickly here in Japan. The expectations are a million miles higher then in America. I am learning Beethoven's "Sonata". It's a really beautiful song. I told her once I liked classical music sooo. .. .that's what we'll be learning. Hee hee. Afterwards we went to look at the Cherry trees. .. actually the same place I went with my friend Ai but further down the river. I guess this river stretches through a lot of cities in Tokyo. It's gorgeous. . the river itself is gross and dirty but the trees are beautiful. Oh, and my piano teacher is letting me take lessons for free in exchange for speaking English. . .. I NEVER thought my language would be a form of currency. Crazy.

I got my hair cut too. . .its pretty short but I like it. I am actually getting a perm too . . .I'll take pics of it tomorrow and post them. I thought. . . .a lot has changed and I'd like a new style too. And the hair cut and perm were for a deal. It was still expensive but she took 20 dollars off since I was getting both done. I didn't have time to do the perm yesterday so I will do it tomorrow.

Miss you all







Yuri, my piano teacher,. . . She's soooo cute.







She bought us Takoyaki. . .which is like. . . octopus in the middle of this dough ball. . .it's not fried . . .but just bready. . .Not like a dough nut.



My new hair cut. . . what do you think?