Introducing...

OK it's quite late - having a busted computer has prevented me from updating this much recently, but here's someone I want you all to meet (if you haven't already): my nephew, Damon Raichura. He was born on Tuesday, August 11 in the wee hours of the morning (more like the middle of the night). Anyways, he's now over 2 months old, and looking cuter with every new picture I get from the family!


Last month when I had a bit of time off work, I went over to visit my friend Barbie, who's a quilting instructor. She had helped me already make 3 quilts (imagine that - me, a quilter!) so I figured, I made one for Myles, let's make one for Damon! I can't be there to cuddle and make him feel all warm and fuzzy, so I guess the quilt will have to do that for me! So here's a picture of my dear nephew, and the quilt his uncle made for him with tender loving care.

By the way, Facebook users, this came to you only because my blog and facebook are linked - don't be thinking I've already caved in and updated my FB!!!

Weird Happening

Today I headed down to the office at school on my way out the door. On my way in, everything was normal. On my way out, I look over and see my colleague, Nick, being bugged by some Japanese guys with a video camera. Then one of them, with a fake afro and painted on mustache, calls out, "Hey, Mark!" He's looking at me.

I know he wants to talk with me. I figure, what the heck? Let's have a little fun... after all, it's Friday afternoon before a long weekend... let the fun begin NOW! Here's a rough transcript of what happened. J1 = Japanese guy 1 (fro & mustache); J2 = Japanese guy 2 (long blonde wig); T = me

J1: Hey, Mark! My friend!
T:Hey what's up, man?
J1: Mark, my high school friend!
T: Long time no see!
(We hug.)
J1: What's your name?
T: I'm... Mark.
J1: Oh, I'm Mark!
T: We have the same name?
J1: I'm Eddie Murphy.
T: Yeah, I know! Nutty Professor...
J1: What?
T: (slowly) The... Nutty... Professor...
J1: Oh yeah! (makes motion like he's got a really wide butt)
J2: この人のヒゲはちょっとゲイっぽい。。。(This guy's beard makes him look gay.)
(Trevor looks from one guy to the other, apparently confused - little do they know I speak Japanese!)
J1: Are you gay?
J2: You... gay?
(Trevor looks at J2 and then slaps him across the face.)
T: NO!
(J1 also slaps J2 across the face.)
J1: I'm sorry man, good job!
(J1 & Trevor give each other a high five.)
J2: I'm sorry.
(J2 goes to shake Trevor's hand, gooses him in the process.)
T: HEY! Don't touch! That's the no-touch zone! (to J1) Maybe HE is gay! He touched my no-touch zone!
J1: Yeah. OK, do you know good job?
T: Good job?
J1: Yeah, ecology, recycle...
T: Oh yeah, of course!
J1: OK, last question. What do you think, Japan student woman?
T: You mean high school girls?
J1: Yeah. You like?
T: NO!
J1: Why?
J2: You gay!
T: No, too young!
J1: Japan school girl... (crude comment, omitted)
T: NO! That's a BIG 犯罪 (crime).
J1: No, no 犯罪.
T: 犯罪 man, 犯罪！
J1: Last, please look (points to camera), say "Good!"
J1, T, J2: GOOD!
J1: You from America?
T: No, Canada!
J1: Oh, Canada. Wayne Gretzky! Steve Nash! Celine Dion!
J2: You English teacher?
T: No, Chinese.
(J1 laughs, J2 glares.)
T: I'm comedian, like Eddie Murphy.

*END TRANSCRIPT*

Weird, random Friday happening!
Oh, and afterwards I got looks from the office ladies. I kinda bowed in apology for making noise... but it wasn't my fault! These guys came up to me all noisy and hyper!

Anyways, if you're in Okinawa and watch TV from time to time, try to catch me on Okinawa TV... and if you're WAY cool you'll even record it for me! I don't have an antenna on my TV so I can't even see how stupid I looked!

No PC + Grad School = No Blogging

Hey all. It's been awhile, that's for sure! I was really excited about my trip to Hokkaido (Sept.18-23) and how I would be able to blow everyone away with breathtaking pictures of one of the most beautiful parts of Japan. Then something happened.

Remember September 2007? Yeah, my HP failed me and I was computer-less for nearly 3 months. Well, it's not the same problem but it's the same result. While I was in Hokkaido, my computer stopped working. It's in mainland right now being diagnosed, though I'm quite sure it's the motherboard. (This means it's going to be real expensive to repair!)

And so my wonderful roommate Rob was kind enough to loan me his newly bought laptop so that I could at least finish my huge grad school assignment. I sent it off this morning - hopefully the results will be good! (But I'm not so confident.)

Anyways, if/when I get a computer, I will post pics of Hokkaido and other stuff that's been going on. Mind you, with grad school being as demanding as it is, not much really has gone down in the past few weeks!

The Big 3-OH

Malaybraham, my dear Malaysian friend named Abraham (see how he got the nickname?) celebrated a big birthday on Friday - it's a day that the world remembers as Nine Eleven. But from now on it will be the day of the Malay - Abraham turned 30 on that day! (Well, not in 2001... this year!)

Since Keisho so kindly took him out for lunch yesterday after church (no cake!), I decided I would capitalize on my day off from work by inviting him over for some delicious chicken cutlet curry. We decided to commemorate the occasion with this picture. Kinda cooky, but I think it's a cool shot. Don't we look younger than we actually are?

Still BOBbin'

It's been awhile since I've posted anything about BOB (Brothers of Boaz). But we're still goin' strong, still studying the Word and praying with one another. Lately we've been going through Chuck Smith's book "The Man God Uses." It's a great book that devotes short chapters to the qualities that a man of God should have.

And of course, afterwards we always power up on snacks and so on. The guys are always good about bringing something for everyone to snack on (Keisho loves bringing us cake!). Last week, Kevin even blessed us with Anthony's pizza!

Well, a couple of weeks ago we had to say farewell to a good brother. Nate felt the Lord calling him back to Colorado to help with his dad's ministry there. Keisho, ever the cake provider, brought a cake and we celebrated / sent him off in style. Nate, may the Lord bless you! Keep in touch, and don't forget to pray for your brothers at BOB!

Who's this stranger?

ただいま！（どこにも行ってないのに）

この前、海外からの特別なスペシャルなゲストが来沖しました。この人物はいったい誰でしょうか？

Well, here I am, after leaving the blog alone for so long... I just haven't felt the urge to update. But a few weeks ago, I had a very special visitor come from abroad and visit me. (His purpose for coming was not to see me, but he did take time to visit! Wonderful times... but first, can you tell who it is from this pic?


So he came over and we had BBQ chicken and vegetables. Then we caught up on old times. Then my roommate Rob came back from work (baseball practice). My guest really wanted to play catch with a professional baseball player, so I (the agent) allowed him the privilege.

宜野湾市伊佐で彼を向かいに行って、八百屋に行った後、バーベキューをしました。食べながら色んな懐かしい話や最近神様に語られていることを分かち合えた。その間、ルームメートであるロバートは仕事から帰宅して、僕のゲストはプロ野球選手とどうしてもキャッチボールしたかった。ので、エージェントである私の許可をもらって、二人はキャッチボールしました。



最後に一緒にＯＣＳＩに行って、彼の母親にあいさつして、昔からいた先生方と話をして一人で宜野湾に帰りました。圭佑、短い間だったけど、本当に楽しかった！また沖縄に戻ったら是非一緒にご飯食べようね！中国でまた大学、頑張ってください！

Finally, we drove together to OCSI and said 'hi' to his mother, and chatted with all the teachers of old. Then I drove back to Ginowan. Time went by so quickly, Keisuke, but I had an awesome time! Next time you're in Okinawa, we'll have to hang out again! All the best to you in China, my friend!

Update Withdrawal

I haven't posted anything to the ol' blog lately. It's a combination of being busy and wanting to avoid being on the computer for too many hours. With grad school being online, I sit in front of a screen and type so much these days, that blogging just isn't fun like it used to be.

Forgive me! I will do my best to post some fun stuff soon!

Still on sale?

Distracted while working on grad school stuff, I came across this online.


I had no idea I could still buy a Kishu Rangers Wunderlich jersey! (Oops, pardon me - Wunderich! They forgot the L on this one!) I just might have to get me one! Click here to get to the page.

Cousin Cometh (Part 2) - LINKS APLENTY!

So here's the rest of Sheila's time here, all in one condensed post. Tuesday was a slow morning... we went out to Joyfull (a family restaurant that's open 24/7) and just sat and enjoyed the drink bar (soft drinks, of course!) while playing cribbage. Sheila got beaten quite soundly in the first two games, but came back to skunk me in the third game.

We went to Yomitan in the afternoon and checked out the beach and cape, and then had a delicious dinner and time of fellowship at Glenn and Farah's. We played Mille Bornes, a fun card game that I never even knew about but now want!

Wednesday morning I had to get some grad school work done, so Sheila helped at our church's VBS while I studied at home. We went out for Chinese for lunch (awesome gyoza there!) and then headed up to Nago to check out Pineapple Park. Oh man, that place never gets boring! We actually were going to hit up PP the next day, but a typhoon was set to hit, or at least pour rain on us for a few days. So we ate a lotta pineapple snacks and then returned to Ginowan for church service. I was the translator, so we had to get there at least a little early!

Thursday was a rainy day so I think we pretty much hung out at the house, watched Planet Earth and played backgammon during the day. Then at night the church had a little "movie night" so we went there and watched Back to the Future. Got a little bored so we broke out the backgammon board. (I think Sheila's addicted, really.)

Friday the weather cleared up a little, but it still wasn't perfect. What did we do, Sheila? I forget! Oh, we went shopping, I think - hundred yen store and Kokusai again (to get the shirts). And wasn't Friday night the night I made delicious curry for us? Hmmm... kinda foggy.

Saturday morning I had my online class, so Sheila just chilled until I was done, and then we headed up north to at least do SOME of what we couldn't do on Thursday/Friday. On the way we stopped in Gushikawa for a Hakugaijin concert, but we didn't stay too long. We had to get up north! We checked out the Churaumi Aquarium and Pizza in the Sky. 'Twas awesome, I tell ya!

Sunday was double-church day, and I think in between we... went shopping? Probably! Then Monday morning we headed out to the airport, had breakfast, and that was it! A wonderful week getting to know my cousin better. One thing we did a lot of was a "Krahn quiz." (My mom's side of the family is Krahn.) So we took turns making up questions like "Which of the 9 Krahn siblings do you think had the most interesting childhood?" or "Which Krahn grandchild outside your own family looks the most like you?" Good times!

Cousin Cometh (Part 1)

My wonderful cousin Sheila came out to visit me from August 2-10. Can you believe it? All the way from Canada just to see me! I was so blessed. So the first night we went to On Dish for dinner and all-you-can-eat ice cream. The next day we headed south, beginning with...

Sasoriza! Those of you who have never been down to the Okisho area and don't know about this shop... what are you waiting for? Milk tea with tapioca balls in it - such an awesome drink! (Actually we stopped in again another day - I think it was on Saturday.)

Then we went to Okinawa World, a.k.a. the caves. It was actually my first time there... it's kind of a kitschy touristy place but the caves are some of the longest and oldest in Japan. So it was cool seeing all the formations down there. It was also real cool down there! I'd love to build a summer home down there... well maybe.

After that, we went to the Peace Memorial Park in Itoman. I've probably been there a dozen times, but it never fails to move me. It makes me sick to my stomach when I think about just how brutal the war was here in Okinawa. Oh that reminds me, we met an 82-year old man at Okinawa World, and he told us about his experience in the war. He said he was 18 (story checks out, as the war was 64 years ago) and was actually among the bodies strewn everywhere (mostly dead bodies). He found a grenade and wanted to pull the pin and end his life... but he lacked the physical strength to do so because he hadn't eaten in 3 weeks (or was it months?). Heart-wrenching story.

Well anyhow, the night ended with some homemade taco rice and a trip down to Kokusai Street at night. It was a packed day... but Sheila said she wasn't jetlagged so I decided to really push it!

More in the next post - I don't like writing novels when I update!