Students come and students go. It's a reality in teaching, but some of them will live on in your heart forever. This is true of the class that I had to say goodbye to today. (After the month of January the seniors do not have to come to school.) I had my last class with the senior English majors and they hold a special place in my heart. These are the students that I taught my first independent class with. The six young ladies in my class were delightful. We had many moments of discovery, learning, and laughing together. They asked questions, were willing to think outside of the box, and always encouraging each other and me with their presence. They are definitely the "dream class" and are often referred to as such among the teachers.

For class we played a game and ate apple pastries that Heidi, Nick, and I made the night before. We had a wonderful time together and they oohed and aahed over the individualized apple pies. To say they loved them is an understatement! One of the girls in Nick's class talked with me later in the day about them and was using all of the positive/praising adjectives she knew to describe them. It was evident that they recognized and appreciated the love that was sent to them through the gesture.

So, what's next for them. I learned that over their extended break some of them with be studying, getting their drivers license or motorcycle license, working, relaxing, and resting. In April university will start and they will be hitting the books again. Their ambitions vary but include wanting to be a kindergarten teacher, flight attendant, Italian chef, news reporter, and archeologist. My love and prayers go with them as they venture out and learn more about themselves, their dreams, and the world around them.

Education. Little by little I’m learning more about education in Japan. I recently learned more about the process students go through to get into university. It sure makes me glad that I grew up in the States!

Students go to cram school (extra school) and will study for years preparing for their university entrance exams. Between October and November students have the chance to take specific tests at the university they want to go to. If their scores are high enough and they meet all of the qualifications then they are accepted. Getting into the school of your choice is always exciting, and of course I rejoice with the students. However, until today I didn’t realize how exciting it was. If they are accepted that means they do not have to take the national test.

Last weekend thousands of seniors in high school took Japan’s national exam. This test is only offered once a year and has the ability to end many students’ dreams. Based on their score they know what universities they can and cannot apply for. If a student is sick or their score is not good, then they have to wait until the following year to take it again! (They do not have the luxury of taking it many times in one year to get the score they want like Americans have with the ACT and SAT.) One shot and their done for the year. I’ve also discovered that is it very difficult for students to transfer to different universities after they’ve started at one. The amount of pressure to do well on this one test is extremely high. Parents will do just about anything in their power (lots of bribes) to get their children to study for these tests and do well. They know how much of their child’s future rides on having a high score. Wow, I’m thankful for the education system that we have in America. No it’s not perfect, but neither is the one in Japan, contrary to many beliefs.

Things are familiar. I know that chicken is 62 yen per 100 grams of meat, that fall broccoli is 158 yen and winter broccoli is 198 yen. I know that regardless of what I buy I am bound to find preservation packets in it. I know that every time I’m at the grocery store’s check-out counter they are going to ask me a question about having a special credit card. I know that I need to respond with “iie” (no) before they’ll start ringing up my food. I know that if I see another foreigner at the grocery store, it’s a 98% chance that I know them and that they work at Baiko. Knowing these things confirms that I am not new here. Knowing these things makes me feel like I am ate home and that I belong here. However, in the grocery store today I was reminded that I am indeed a foreigner.

I was looking at a food display, actually chocolate that was on sale, when I felt some eyes watching me. Standing a couple of feet away were two five year old boys. Their saucer eyes were filled with wonder as I smiled at them and said “konnichiwa” (hello). They whispered to each other but had no idea how to react, so they just stared. I tried to converse with them a little in Japanese but they didn’t know what to do. They looked like they weren’t sure if they should run, stay and stare, or answer. Their Mom quickly came with an apologizing look shooing them away. She even said “konnichiwa” to me, which I think was to help her boys realize that I was human. Yep, no matter how long I’m here blonde hair and green eyes are not the norm.

On my day trip I went to Yamaguchi and Akiyoshi with my friend Miho. After making the hour long train ride to Shin-Yamaguchi, I met Miho and we drove to St. Francis Xavier Memorial Church. The original church burned down in 1991 and in its place stands an ultra-modern looking church. The church is named after Francis Xavier, a Spanish missionary, who arrived in Japan in 1549. He is usually regarded as the first missionary in Japan. A year after arriving in Japan he was given permission to preach in Yamaguchi, and as a result more than five hundred became Christians. In the museum I was able to see Bibles in Latin that he had brought over, priestly garments, paintings, and denying plaques. Many Christians became martyrs around 1597 because the government was not tolerant of Christianity. People were tested by having to spit or step on the "denying plaques." It was quite powerful to see these artifacts. How thankful I am that I can freely share my beliefs, yet many people around the world still do not have that freedom.

After spending time at the church, we made a brief stop at the five-storey pagoda of Rurikoji temple. This pagoda is made of wood, is around 500 years old, and is one of Japan's national treasures. It is very impressive!

Then we were off to Akiyoshi-do Cave. This cave is the largest limestone cave in Asia. The caverns were huge! Several houses could fit in one. There were also neat limestone formations and little waterfalls within the cave. One of the formations is called "100 Dishes" because it looks like lots of plates stacked on top of each other and spilling over. Oh, God never ceases to amaze me!

Pictures:
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Today I arrived home after spending five days in the country with Heidi, Nick, Hiroko, and Hiroko's family. I had a wonderful time experiencing Oshogatsu (Japanese New Year) and Japanese family life! It was like being on a homestay. We visited several islands and saw lighthouses. One of the lighthouses we went to at night. It was a surreal experience seeing the bright beams scanning the ocean waters. I felt like I was in a sci-fi movie. It also depended my understanding of what being a beacon for Christ should look like. Our faith should not be hidden but there for all the world to see. Our words and actions should be like the light, drawing people closer to safety, to truth, and ultimately to Christ.

I learned how to make serveral Japanese dishes. The first afternoon we made mochi by pounding steamed rice with a sledge hammer type thing. Once the rice became a guppy lump, we tore off bread roll sized pieces to shape and put onko (red bean paste) inside. Sushi rolls was another learning experience. On top of the seaweed you put a layer of rice. Next is a row of egg, pickles, eel, radish, and other salty and crunchy ingredients. Then you roll it using the bambo mat as your guide. It's actually not that difficult.

We ate a ton of new food. Some of it I liked and other things were more difficult, like having fish and seaweed for breakfast. On New Year's morning we had a special brunch. First we ate beans for good luck. Then there was soup, fish eggs, mushrooms, roots, shrimp, and many things I don't know. All of the food has a meaning, but most of them are supposed to bring good luck and fertility.

It was interesting to see how laid back everything was for New Year's. We had a traditional supper on New Year's Eve and then watched a battle of the bands/battle of the sexes type TV show that lasts four hours long. Popular artists in Japan perform a song. It alternates between male and female. At the end people call in and vote for either the female team or male team. This is how a lot of people bring in the New Year in Japan. I was surprised that it wasn't with more pomp and circumstance. On January 1st, almost everyone goes to a shrine to pay either respect to a god. I think they go because it is what you do, not because they strongly believe in it Budhism and Shintoism.

We also had a day of skiing, which was great! I was a little nervous about it but it went well. I had a lot of fun and it was great to be in snow again. This area of Japan had at least 2 feet of snow. Yeah!

It was great to experience more of Japanese culture and to be part of a family for a little while. This blessed experience is one that I will continue to treaure in the years to come!

New Year's 2006 Pictures:
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Happy New Year's! (It's the year of the dog in Japan.)