Every now and then I think it's OK for me to post pictures with me in them! Today is a special day, after all. It was exactly 11 years ago on this day that I first set foot in Okinawa. That's right, I have spent almost 1/3 of my life here! Hard to believe, isn't it?
I remember distinctly being picked up at the airport by a man named Takeshi Chinen. He was one of two English teachers at the junior high school where I was to work. So we took a cab (or was it a shuttle bus?) to Tomarin, where we hopped on a jet-foil and cruised up to the northern island of Ie. There, I was greeted by the Board of Education with a banner that said "Welcome Raichura Trevor". It was the first time I had seen my name inverted without a comma to show inversion! I was touched that people were actually 'there' to greet me!
Then after short introductions (I said "hajimemashite" - nice to meet you - which was my lone Japanese vocabulary, and was told that I spoke Japanese very well!), we brought my stuff to the Hilltop Hotel, where I spent the night. But before hitting the pillow that night, we went to a restaurant for dinner. My introduction to 'real' Japanese food - sashimi is all I remember, and how I couldn't eat it... and what's this green paste blob on the side of my plate?
The next day I took the ferry with Takeshi and another lady, and we went to Nago to find me a washer, a futon, a fridge, and I think that's it... but anyways, the apartment I was moving in to had nothing in it! So those first few weeks were rough... but also so filled with adventure!
I remember walking around the island the following day, stopping my journey every time a car passed me, so I could bow like a polite foreigner. I'm sure I got a lot of funny looks, but I didn't notice them. I was just so excited to be in Okinawa!
Anyways, I could go on and on about each day that I remember, but I have to get going - I have an exam tomorrow and must study! All I know is that God has blessed me so much over the past 11 years - allowing me to 'move' back to Canada twice, even though it may not have been His perfect will. He blessed me with 2 incredible years on Iejima, 4 wonderful years at Okinawa Christian School International, and the past 4 years in Ginowan City! As for where the next stop is, at this point only God knows... but hopefully I will someday soon, too!
(The picture was taken by my co-worker Teppei, who busted out his camera when I told him today was my 'anniversary'. He made two students pose with me, and we held up 'fries' to look like the number 11. Also pictured: Saki and Shizuka.)
One of my dearest students from back in the day (they're all dear though, aren't they?), Andrea Knickerbocker, became a McCarthy earlier in July. While working in China as a missionary/teacher, she met a cool guy named Rick. They got married in the States and then after their honeymoon, they came to Okinawa briefly and had a wedding reception for all Andrea's family and friends.
I was blessed to be in attendance, and got to sit with some former students (Andrea's classmates). It was great seeing Naomi, Hazel and Haruna again! The whole night was blessed, and while seeing Andrea and Rick together was cool, I probably had the most fun (as I always do) playing with Towa. (If you don't know Towa, you need to! He's a cute 2-year old boy whose laugh will get you every time!)
