MO - Compare

This is me at the end of Week 1...



And me on Movember 30th.



Clearly, it's come in full and thick.

But now what to do? Shave it? Keep it? Change it? Trim it? Got any ideas??? I'm open to suggestions... for about the next 14 hours, at which point a decision may be made before I head to work for the beginning of (*sniffle*) December.

OLD SCHOOL - 再会！

今年の８月からティム牧師は家族を連れて名護に引っ越ししました。そこで、カルバリーチャペル名護を始めた。そのときからあんまり連絡とってないけど、２週間前に、「棚原しゅうへい覚えてる？」というメールが来た。写メ付きで、しゅうへいの顔を見たら思い出した。伊江島の時の小学校英会話クラブに入った子だった！ティムは彼と一緒にブレークダンスしてるから、「今度の土曜日に修平の誕生日を祝うから名護に来ない？」と誘ってくれた。

名護に行って、ティム、あゆ、マサキくん、修平、そして５人の友達と食事をしました。あゆがおいしいスパゲティーを作ってくれて、僕はガーリックブレッドを作って持っていった。おいしい食事を食べた後、みんなでwiiで遊んだ。最高に楽しかった！しかも修平（上左）は相変わらず英語話せないけど心が伊江島人（いいしまんちゅ）らしくて温かい！礼儀正しくていつも笑顔で、彼と久しぶりに話せてうれしかった！しかも大人になってる！もう２２歳だ！っていうことは、オレもかなり年とってるね！（苦笑）

そして、翌朝、礼拝に参加することができました。始めたばっかりなので、まだいつも来てる人はいないけど、今回はなんと、４人のブレークダンサーが来てくれた！真剣にメッセージを聞いて、イエスキリストを受け入れてないけど、種が蒔かれたのは間違いない！そして、神様のタイミングに収穫があると思います！ハレルヤ！

引き続き、ティム牧師、あゆ、誠希くんのために祈りましょう！そして、棚原修平と彼の友達（ゆうき、ゆういちろう、しゅうさく、まさき、たいいち）のためにも祈ろう！

This time you English readers get ripped off. Here's a summary: Tim moved up to Nago, happened to breakdance with one of my former students from the Iejima days (we're talking 10 years ago)... he invites the guy over for a birthday dinner last Saturday (14th) and had me come up as a surprise guest. It was awesome to see Shuhei again! He's grown up but is still the same! Anyways, he and 3 of his friends even came to church the next day for the first time! Pray that they keep coming and continue to hear about Jesus! Thanks, Tim, for the invitation! Let's also continue to keep Pastor Tim and his family in prayer as well!

In Korea

I wish I had taken more photos while I was in Korea... but then I ask myself, "Pictures of what? It's not like you got out and SAW much!" Oh, but I did learn a lot, and met a lot of wonderful people - my classmates and professors! Still, I was pretty mellow in the evenings... only venturing out with the classmates on my last night. The rest of the time I tried to lay low and get a lot of rest. (Some nights, this was easier than others - but that's another story.)

So I attended a 3-day (supposed to be 4 but I had to leave early) conference at which I met some world-renowned professors in the field of TESOL - namely, Professors Nunan, Bailey, and Ellis. I have had the pleasure of taking a class with Professor Bailey, and I've also chatted with Prof Nunan online in some of my other classes. It was very different meeting them in person, and I was floored by how much knowledge they were able to impart/share within such a short time frame!

And my classmates... wow, I was in awe of the wisdom of some, the kindness of some, the personalities of others... all in all, I would say it was a huge blessing to get to know them all! I wish I had had even more time to talk to them, though.

Highlights included sharing a little testimony with Roxanne and hearing hers, doing Indian accents with Jerek, chatting with Melissa outside a karaoke bar until 1 am, speaking French avec Tony, hearing Jeff excel in every session we were in, getting to know all the newbies in person before having really formed an impression of them online, and hearing all sorts of stories from Elizabeth. Oh, and of course being blessed with the tour guide abilities of Ken, without whom I would have spent more money and had less fun!

I can't wait until next year's residential, especially when I heard where it might be: TOKYO! Time for me to be a guide/interpreter for others! Looking forward to seeing y'all in 11 months!

Fukuoka - one great city!

I haven't traveled extensively outside of Okinawa for awhile... I used to make as many trips up to mainland as I could, but in recent years that has not been the case. Anyways, I have to say that probably my two favourite cities outside of Okinawa are Sapporo and Fukuoka. I have yet to see the entire country so I don't know how they would hold up against all the rest... but so far they rank highly!


Anyhow, on my way to Korea for my grad school conference, I got to spend around 8 hours in Fukuoka. So I went back to my favourite park (Ohori Park) and walked around it twice, stopping here and there to take pictures or just enjoy the views. SO many people go there just to jog - they have a nice track around the lake that measures exactly 2 km, so I can imagine if I lived there, I would probably head out there to run as much as I could!

Then I walked back to the main part of the city (Tenjin) and had Hakata Ramen for lunch, and then walked to Canal City, a huge shopping mall. There, I realized I shoulda held out a bit longer and eaten at the Ramen Stadium - a museum/hall of ramen where there were 8 different shops, each with several types of ramen, to choose from! Ah well, next time!

I settled for Cold Stone Creamery instead. Not a bad consolation prize! Korea, here I come!

Mini-Class Reunion

Just over a month ago, one of my former students from OCSI came back from the States for a visit. She used good ol' Facebook to arrange a little class reunion of sorts - the people who are/were on Okinawa came out to Cappriciosa's for dinner. From the Class of 2002, there were about 8 people represented: Ally, Teresa, Jennifer, Sera, Naomi, Hazel, Haruna, Miho. A couple of others joined from the upperclasses: Tiffany and Sheryl. Other than spouses, I was the lone male representative... and I'm not even in the class!

I was so blessed to have been invited, and to have had the chance to catch up with some of my favourite students of all time! (You really are! But for those of you who are former students of mine and are reading this, you are also in my select group of all-time favourites! I promise!)

Teresa, Sera, Haruna and Tiffany are married and have child(ren). Ally's also married. Sheryl's engaged. Wow, they're not "high school kids" anymore! Thanks for inviting me out, Sera! Be sure to let me know when you come back to visit again! Or you can just move back here with your family!

Bowling BOB

Another back-log entry... sorry it's taken me awhile to post news, everyone. I'm hoping that today I can get caught up completely and then go back to updating regularly once or twice a week.

Anyways, back in September we had our regular "fellowship BOB" meeting, but instead of just eating a lot of food at my house, as we had the previous 3 months, we decided to hit the lanes. On this particular night, Tokito was "king of the lanes" - throwing down a TURKEY in Game 2! Awesome! I think he finished with a 180 or something.

The turnout was pretty good, and don't worry... we managed to eat a lot of food here, too! The lanes have their own Pizza Hut and A & W! Good times had by all!

Post-Hokkaido Blessing

On my way from Hokkaido, I had to transfer in Tokyo. Well, it just so happened that I had about 5 hours to spare, and also two students from the OCSI class of 2002 living in the Tokyo area. It was also a day off all across Japan, so neither of them was working. Anyways, it worked out well for us to meet at Tokyo Station and have dinner together,and that's exactly what we did. I hadn't met Jennifer since their graduation, perhaps! Aki has spent time in Okinawa and Tokyo, but comes back to visit whenever she can, so I have seen her a few times since then... including my trip up to Tokyo in January with Joe.

It was such a blessing to catch up on old times, and it's always wonderful to hear that the students you shared the gospel with are walking with the Lord! Thanks, ladies, for a wonderful stopover in Tokyo!

Hokkaido, at last!

Well, 2 months after my computer broke (almost to the exact day), I am finally going to post a few pictures of my trip to Hokkaido (September 18-23). Let me begin with a quick summary of how God worked. I got there and took a bus to Maruyama Koen Bus Terminal (about an hour). I got picked up by a man named Steve, who was with his wife, Michiyo. They took me to their place, where I stayed for 5 nights (none of this was my plan, mind you). I got to know the family (children Christina, 11, Tetsuo and Tetsuharu, 7, and Shion, 2 months) well, partook in worship services with them (including perhaps the first Calvary Chapel service in Hokkaido - though it was not under the name Calvary), prayed with them, sightsaw with them, dined with them, struggled with them, laughed with them... they became "my family" for 5 days, and I will never forget their kindness, or how the Lord brought us together and kept us together for 5 days! It was definitely neither my plan nor theirs, but no doubt the Lord's! If you want to hear more about my trip, ask me! I love talking about my time there! Also, pray for me... who knows if the Lord wants to send me up there permanently???

My first food in Hokkaido was homemade curry and then a fresh half-melon. OHHHHH, sooooo good!

Sunday after morning service, me and the kids went hiking together. Here we are at the top of Mt. Sankake. It was SO fun! Perhaps the highlight of my trip!

Steve preaches in Hungarian and his lovely wife Michiyo translates into Japanese for the people. He is truly an anointed teacher of the Word!

This is the front entrance area to Shiroi Koibito Factory. It is very famous in Sapporo. Me and the kids had a blast!

The final farewell at the bus terminal. It was such a huge blessing to meet this loving, godly family! Thank you, Lorinczes, for your hospitality! The Lord will provide for all your needs, according to His riches!

MO, Take 3!

Three weeks of Movember are already over, can you believe it? It's funny, I have had such mixed reactions to my MO. Most guys DIG it - either because they can't believe how handsome I am with a mustache (that's a joke, people) or because they wish they could grow something this full on their faces (either they're military and can't, or they're too young and can't, or too controlled by their woman and can't). OK, you can take this whole paragraph with a grain of salt, because I am definitely saying it all tongue-in-cheek.

So here's the question for you: when MOvember is all over, what should I do?

1) Shave it off and remain clean shaven
2) Shave it off and try something new
3) Grow the rest of the beard in
4) Shave it down to a "regular" mustache or even a "Prince" mustache

Place your vote now! One lucky voter will receive a special prize, provided they can answer the skill-testing question they are asked!


モベンバーはあっという間に４週目に入りました。早い！後８日で終わりますよ！今まで色んなこと言われてきた。男性に「カッコいい」とか「似合うね！」とか言われているけど、驚いたことに最近、女性の中でも好評を得ている！

モベンバー終わったら４つの選択があります。皆さんの意見も聞きたいです。

１）ヒゲを剃って、爽やか系
２）今のヒゲを剃って、違う形に挑戦する
３）今剃っている部分を生やす
４）今の口ヒゲを短くする（普通 or プリンス系）

さぁ、どっちがいいと思う？皆さんの投票、よろしくお願いします！運が良ければ、スペシャルプレゼントを１人様に月末にあげます！

MO Update

I don't know, man... I said I wouldn't shave it for the whole month, but I'm starting to have my doubts. As much as it's fun to have a mustache, I have had so many "facial hairstyles" that this one isn't really 'special' to me. But I do have to say, it's for a good cause! If you want more information, check out the official Movember site. And if you are moved to do so, support someone out there who's growing their MO for 30 days! Here's mine after 15 days:

Movember is here!

Some of you may not know this, but the 11th month of the year is now known as Movember. The month of Movember is a time to reflect on men's health. We men are encouraged to grow our mustaches clean from November 1, for the entire month, and raise awareness of diseases/health issues that affect men. In fact, many men in North America, Europe, South Africa and Australia and New Zealand also raise funds which are donated to research.

My brother is one of those men, and so in support of him (and men in general), I am growing my MO this month, too! It's a work in progress but... what do you think?

皆さん、ご無沙汰でございます。とればーです。今月は前までノベンバーとして知られたけど、これからモベンバーになっています。それはなぜかというと、MはMAN、またはMOUSTACHE（口ひげ）からとられて、１１月のNOVEMBERをパクってMOVEMBERとなっています。男の健康を皆さんに考えていただきたい月間です。１１月１日から、欧米、そしてオーストラリア、ニュージーランド、南アフリカの男性たちは口ひげをゼロから生やし始め、周りに男性に冒される病気について意識させる運動をしています。その男性の中の何人かが寄付金を集めて病気の研究に施しています。

僕の兄貴はその男性の一人ですので、僕は彼を支えるために口ひげを１ヶ月間生やします！まだ一週間しか経ってないけど、どうですか？