3-nensei Graduation

On Friday, March 8th the san-nensei (3rd grade) JHS students had their graduation. The school and grade system is a bit different here in Himeji than in the U.S. Junior High is very difficult and there are three grades, instead of two. The third grade (equivalent to a high school freshman) students must take a very difficult test at the end of their 3rd term to see what high school they are placed in.

When the tests are over, the school holds a very formal and serious graduation ceremony. In many ways it is similar to our high school graduation...we process in and out of the ceremony, people sing and give speeches. But, in many ways it is different. There are no receiving of diplomas and there is basically no clapping, but a LOT of bowing. At the end of the ceremony the entire school, along with family members line up on the school's field to see the students off. Here are the pictures of Katie's students...

SUMO!!!

Well, it's been a while since our last blog! Things get pretty busy here in Japan, and before we know it we are way behind on our blogging. The most recent and interesting adventure that we have experienced is Sumo Wrestling. WOWEE, is that a trip. Joe and I got on a train to Osaka with our friends Sara, Taube, and Julian and bought bento boxes (Japanese sushi lunch boxes), beer, and chuhi and off we went. While it looks like there's nothing to it, there is actually a lot of tradition and symbolism that goes into this ancient Japanese sport. For instance, the wrestlers lift one leg and slap their foot down which indicates driving out evil spirits. Very interesting. Well, as much as we learned, we still couldn't help from giggling a bit when we saw the BIG Japanese men in their colorful "thong diapers." After a few drinks, we all began placing 10 yen bets (equal to 10 cents) on the wrestlers to shake up the evening! Here are the pictures...

Fuji-san

Our friend, Mayumi, was nice enough to act as our travel agent and found us a great deal on a trip to Mount Fuji. So, at 7:00am on February 9th, Joe and I, along with our friends Rob and Lyn, hopped on a tour guide bus and headed out on a yet another adventure. We were the only 4 English speaking folks on the bus, which was rather interesting. We have learned quite a bit of Nihongo (Japanese), but it wasn't enough to understand our female tour guide, who talked on her microphone for an entire 7 hours on the way there! YIKES!

Anyhow, when we arrived to our fantastic hotel, we put on our "Yukatas" and enjoyed an amazing Japanese dinner, then onsen (hot spring). The next morning, we had another great meal and took a cable car up to the mountain. It was snowy and beautiful. We were really lucky because we had a clear view of Fuji, which is very rare in the winter. After that, we took a pirate ship across the lake, which gave us an incredible view of Fuji. After that we spent some time walking around the town and eating yet another wonderful meal. Finally, we hopped back on with our new Japanese friends and journeyed home. It was a fun, jam-packed couple of Fuj-filled days.

Mr and Mrs. Casey in their "Yukatas"



Delicious dinner




The captain and first mate aboard the pirate ship.
ARRRRR.

eeeeeh?

Do you think this man knows what his jacket says?

"freezing point" haha.

Japan is such a great country. Sometimes it just makes us laugh. When the Japanese think something is ineresting, or are a bit shocked, they ome pictures that made us say the same thing.

"Beauty Saron"



"Sparkring Soda"

Kocho-Sensei Formal

On Friday, February 1st, all of the ALT's attended a formal cocktail hour and dinner with our "Kocho-sensei's" (aka: principals). We all drank a ton, ate fantastic Japenese cuisine, and enjoyed a performance by the Aussie's. When the event was over, we carried the party on to Not Blue, a classy bar, and then on to fantastic karaoke!

















The after dinner bar...








"Karaoke"...