Winter Vacation

Dad, this post is for you . . .

This is the restaurant in Bangkok where we'll have Christmas dinner. You can see more pictures and read about it here

http://www.at-bangkok.com/restaurant_supatra_river_house.php






The next morning we'll be zip-lining through the jungle. You can see more pictures and videos at




www.treetopasia.com/thailand-holiday/bangkok


The following afternoon we fly to Cambodia for a 6-day tour. You can read abut it here

http://www.geckosadventures.com/South-East-Asia/Trip/Overview.html?trip=Cambodia & Ancient Angkor&tripid=2797

On the first, I fly back to Thailand. The following morning I start another tour. You can read about it at


www.treetopsjunglesafaris.com/jungle-safaris-4days-3nights.htm

Kaci in Japan

My cousin, Kaci, just spent 5 weeks teaching English in Korea. Since Shimonoseki is so close, she stopped by to visit me for a few days. We walked around Shimonoseki, Chofu, Mojiko, and Kokura. You can see pictures through the "more photos of Japan" link.

odds and ends

At school recently, I saw a lizard with a blue tail. I thought that was pretty exciting, but then I saw two tanuki outside one of the classrooms. I brought a camera with me this week and took some pictures. Pretty cool, eh?



Several times a week Shawna and I walk down to Hotto Motto or Seven Eleven for lunch, taking the same route every time. As we walked down the hill yesterday, an old man came out of a barber shop and gave me this piece of origami. At least I think he gave it to me. He was muttering in old man Japanese, and I couldn't really understand him. I said "thank you" many times in Japanese, and we continued on our way. I'd like to say that things like this only happen in Japan, and while they seem to happen more often here, strangers like to give me small gifts. It's a nice if not slightly odd part of my life. Anyway, without getting all philosophical, here's the photo.

Valentine's Note

I had to share this cute note from Valentine's Day. It made my day.

Dear: Ami
Happy Valentine!!
We made cookies for you.
The green cookie was made by Riho.
This taste is powdered green tea.
The cookie is in the shape of a heart was
made by Yumi.
This taste is chocolate.
Either of cookies are delicious!! Maybe...
We hope to your home made snack!!
We love Ami :) FROM: Riho and Yumi

R vs. L

My students have a really hard time with the letters "R" and "L". They often get them mixed up and write things like "fliend". The funniest mistake with "R" and "L" was made by one of Stef's students, who shall remain nameless. She wrote the following sentence. "The theatre erupted with the sound of the audience crapping." When I heard that, I laughed until by stomach hurt. It's still funny to me now. I'm actually giggling a little as I type.

just read the can

things that should have been posted long ago

So the two or three of you that actually read my blog have probably noticed that several months ago the frequency of my posts took a nosedive. If anyone ever wants to hear the whole boring story about why my life got suddenly more complicated, feel free to drop me an e-mail or skype me sometime. I have recently had the keyboard on my laptop replaced. This has made my computer life much easier, and I wish I had had it replaced months ago. Anyway, now it's easier for me to write and play with pictures and videos. Here's a video that I made tonight in like five minutes. I hope you enjoy it.

thirsty?

If regular coffee is too exciting for you, you might want to try this.



I've put my pictures from my trip to Thailand up. Just go through the photos link on the right side of my blog.

Keeping a smile on your face . . .

This week's opening hymn had an interesting English translation.



A Lord's heart wraps you now.

The struck crack is also cured.

A Lord's heart wraps you now.

Sorrow and sadness run away.

The love hand of the Lord who got damaged is in motion.

It remains on you.

The love hand of the Almighty is a package.

Your heart is relieved.



The opening line of the benediction read,



Father, the San, the Holy Spilit