Koteki Festival

Alex's Japanese yochien participated in a festival in Hachinohe last weekend, September 27th. Including the Misawa Catholic Yochien, there were eight schools from around the northern Japan region participating. It was quite amazing, as all the kids in the festival were between the ages of 4-6 years old. Alex's school started practicing shortly after the school year began in April, with a summer break for part of July and most of August. Alex is playing the large taiko (drum) on the stand at the far right in the second row. Alex had a blast playing the taiko and participating in the festival. The video is actually from the practice in Misawa on Friday, because we were not allowed to take video from the performance. I'll also try to post a few pictures as well.

Sara Sullivan's story

Please continue to keep Sara Sullivan's family, especially baby Chloe and husband Brady in your prayers. For her complete story of her battle against breast cancer, please view the Sullivan's blog at http://www.bandssullivan.blogspot.com
Her husband, Brady has been amazing and is such an inspiration to all.

Sumo!

I was lucky enough to win a free trip for two adults to Tokyo to see a sumo tournament over 4th of July weekend! We also took the boys, and stayed at the New Sanno Hotel over the weekend. It was a wonderful experience, something everyone should see before leaving Japan.

at a rest stop on the way down to Tokyo

view of Tokyo Tower from Roppongi

One of the wrestlers going into the arena

the Sumo Stadium in Tokyo

outside the stadium, with the wrestlers' flags in front of the stadium

the sponsors' advertisement flags before the championship match of the day

Lake Towada Kunizakai Festival 2009

Over Labor Day weekend we went to Lake Towadafor the Kunizakai Festival. It is a combination festival of three northern Japan prefectures--Aomori, Iwate, and Akita. It includes floats from the Aomori Nebuta parade, Kanto lanterns on huge bamboo poles from Akita, and giant taiko drums. There are also dancers from Iwate and Hachinohe. The weather was perfect, and we all had a great time enjoying the performances and the traditional festival food.

Dancers performing
Dried fish on a stick, anyone?

huge paper lanterns on bamboo...the men would balance them on their hands and foreheads!
Taiko drum performance

Candace's visit to Japan

All of my friends here in Japan were very jealous to hear that I had a friend of mine, Candace, come and visit! Misawa is in such a remote part of Japan that it is hard enough to get family to visit, let alone friends! I met Candace down in Tokyo, and we did a day tour of many of the highlights. Luckily Candace is used to constantly changing sleep schedules, so she wasn't too terribly jetlagged. Then we headed back up to Misawa in time to catch the festival, complete with the parade with floats. We also visited Tanesashi Coast near Hachinohe, the Hachinohe fish market, Statue of Liberty park, Oirase Gorge, Towada Horse park, Tonomi Clan Park, Shimoda Mall, and many local restaurants. Unfortunately, Chris was TDY to DC while Candace was here, but did get to catch up with her a day or two before she went back to Seattle. The week went very quickly, and the boys had a great time with Candace as well.

At Tonomi Clan Park

Candace and Ian at Oirase Gorge

Candace and Alex at Statue of Liberty Park

Tanesashi Coast