Nic and 'Londra

Have I ever told you that I love kids? Especially these 2... Nico is so FUN... and although Alondra is somewhat of a prima donna, she's adorable when she wants to be. Tonight was one of those nights... even though I accidentally caused her to bump her head on the door, she was still pretty easy going about it! Here's some pics of my 2 favorite kids (other than Myles, of course!).

Proud to be friends...

Here's my dear friend, 6'7" Nate. He's got a lot of talents, but last night we discovered a new one that made us all laugh. The Lord gave us funny bodily functions didn't He? Thanks for the laughs, Nate!

Good times at ビックリドンキー

昨日はずっと楽しみしてた日だった。たぶん３ヶ月前からずっとまーこちゃんと「マッシュポテトパーティーしよう！」って話してたけど忙しくて全然パーティーをする時間がなくて「センターの後」となって、そして「卒業後」とか、「二次試験終わってから」など、何回も延長になった。しかも昨日も「マッシュポテトパーティー」じゃなくて、ディナーパーティーだった。僕は最近、仕事で忙しかったり、自分の料理を作る時間さえもないので、みんなのためにおいしい夕飯を作る時間もない。だけど、まーこ、まーど、ゆみ、アッコが僕のスケジュールに合わせてくれて、昨日はビックリドンキーでごちそうした。

話の中で、ケニー＆ユッキークイズの話が出ていて、急にみんな一人一人５問クイズをしました。めっちゃ楽しかった！で、結局マッシュポテトパーティーは夏休みにやることになった。めっちゃ楽しみだよ！みんなそれぞれの道があるけど、時々は高校の友達（トレバーも含めて）と遊びに行けばいい！
Ma-ko, you're a lot of fun! I enjoyed hearing about Hiroko-sensei and what you'd want to do if you were a guy!
Ma-do, maybe someday you can be a Taira! All the best at SIBA this coming year!
Yumi, sorry for always picking on you! I'm waiting for the day you learn enough English to talk to me in MY language! I am also a big fan of Kawaguchi!
Akko, thanks so much for always coming to visit me in the teachers' room! You are such a sweet girl... all the best to you in Fukuoka, and come back to visit as much as you can!!!

The Road to Glory - Koshien Begins

My school qualified for the nation's most prestigious baseball tournament, called Koshien (named after the legendary stadium at which it is played). Yesterday we started Round 1 against a tough opponent - and came out victorious! The final score was 1-0 and we scored our lone run on a balk... but WOW, talk about exciting! Check out this site if you want to see video footage of the run being scored. Not the most exciting play ever, but it got us the victory! Actually you can watch the WHOLE GAME by clicking on the button that says １試合まるごと再生. Next game: Sunday at 2pm. Opponent: to be determined tomorrow! Go go Okisho!

夏甲子園に進出できなかったけど、沖縄尚学は春甲子園に進出した！昨日は１回戦だった。。。学校の５階講座室でみんな集めて応援した。騒がしくて最高に盛り上がった！結果は。。。沖尚１、聖光学院０！その１点は１回表に相手の投手のボークで得点したが、結果だけが大事だね！試合のハイライト、インタービュー、またまるごと見ることはMBSのウェブサイトでできる。準々決勝は日曜日の午後２時です。皆さん、僕のアパートで応援しない？

ESL Camp - 具志川！

昨日は沖尚のESLキャンプに参加しました。このキャンプは特に英語に興味ある中学生のためです。１０日間の間、アメリカからわざわざ沖縄に来た二人のESLの先生に講座を受けて、昼はアクティビティーをやって、夜はキャンプファイヤーを囲んでおしゃべりなどをしてる。残念ながら朝から昼までしか参加できなかったけど、授業の進み方や内容を参観して良かったと思う。普段、中学生と関わるチャンスがないので、とても良い機会だった。７人生徒しか入ってないけどみんなの名前を教えてもらって、そして少しゲームなどに参加させてもらってとても楽しい一日でした。授業のあと、数分間ファド先生とポール先生とフリスビー投げをして快晴をエンジョイしました。来年度はたぶん僕かファド先生が担当・引率となるので、昨日は研究して良かったです！

今週の金曜日で沖尚での勤務、一年目を終えることになります！本当に充実した一年間でした。とても良いコーワーカー(同僚員)に出会って、そして積極的で明るい生徒たちのために全力を尽くして本当に主に祝福された一年間でした。来年度もとても楽しみしてます！名城校長先生、来年度も頑張っていきたいと思いますので、宜しくお願い致します！

What does BFF stand for?

Yesterday a good sister left the island. Melissa Duran is one of the most talkative people I have ever met… but she was also a great confidante and prophetess. She is filled with the Holy Spirit and speaks words of truth and love. She’s so unafraid of saying pretty much anything, even if it might leave people feeling unsettled. It was cool getting to know you, Melissa! We may not be BFFs (sorry “dude” but it’s true – my BFF is the principal’s granddaughter) but I still enjoyed our chats! Be blessed in Cali and wherever the Lord sends you next!

Easter Weekend

Last weekend was so blessed. We had services all weekend to celebrate the death and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Friday night, we showed The Passion of the Christ on a big screen down at Araha beach. It was so cool… well, the movie itself is incredibly disturbing, but in a sense that is also a good thing. Check out my journal for deeper thoughts on the movie. We had about 40 people come and watch, and of course we were all moved by what Jesus went through to forgive us of our sins. Then on Saturday night we had “Sambi Fest” (Worship Festival) which featured various worship groups and bands. Hakugaijin put in an appearance too, which was sweet. Then on Sunday, we had planned to have an afternoon beach day, but because of the rain we postponed it to April 6^th. Anyways it was awesome to hear a resurrection message on Sunday morning, too. How was your Easter, everyone?

先週末はイースターでした。その週末にとてもいいスターの死と復活を祝いました。その良いスターはイエス・キリストだよ！金曜日の夜はアラハビーチでパッション－キリストの受難を観賞しました。観賞といっても、『観て楽しむ』じゃなくて、『観て感激する』ことになった。観たことある人はわかると思う。普通の映画ではない。終わったら立って、「楽しかった」などを言えない。あんまりにも悲劇的で衝撃的だよ。しかし、イエスの死ではこのストーリーは終わらない。３日後に復活されて勝利を得た。土曜日の夜に、同じくアラハビーチで主をほめたたえながら歌いました。その勝利を祝った。そして、日曜日はトロピカルビーチで弁当バッシュする予定だったけど天気都合が良くなくて中止になった。４月６日に行う予定です！どうぞ皆さん、そのために祈ってください！何人かがバプテスマ(洗礼式)を受ける予定です！ビーチパーティーが中止となっても朝の礼拝があって、復活のメッセージを聞いていて良かったです！皆さんのイースターはどうだった？私のヒーロー、良いスターに出会った？

...and in case I don't see you later, good afternoon, good evening, and good night (Vietnam)!

Well, yesterday was the final day of the exchange program with the students from Vietnam. We had a great time together and it was sad to see them leave... but alas, all good things must come to an end. Yesterday began with an assembly at which the concert band performed a few stunning pieces, then the junior high naginata club did a short performance.

Then the judo club did a little entertainment, and finally the Vietnamese students did a little dance.

Speeches ensued and then at last the presentations were set to begin. I only got to see one of my groups present, and they did a fine job! Then we took photos with each other, exchanged gifts and contact information, and the kids all went out for lunch and sightseeing together! I hope we will have more chances to do exchanges with Vietnam... and even other Asian countries, too!

昨日はベトナム交流の最終日だった。長いようで短いようで。。。非常に楽しい交流でした。プレゼンの準備が大変だったけど、みんな努力＆協力して成功させた！僕は二つのグループのリーダーだったけど、遊正たちのプレゼンしか見れなくて残念だった。

宮ももグループ、ごめんね！きっと素晴らしいプレゼンだったと思う！

この交流を通して、ベトナム側だけじゃなくて、沖尚側とより深い関係を築いて嬉しかったです！特に高校一年生と初めて関わって最高だった。来年は本当に楽しみです！
またベトナムと交流したいと思いますし、ほかのアジアの国々とも交流したいです！

Good Morning, Vietnam (Part 2)

Well Saturday was a BUSY day. I drove up to Higashi-son to join the student exchange with students from Vietnam. While up there, we did a few teamwork activities, played a little frisbee, ate a little BBQ (at night, it was SO good), and then finally worked on our projects. Today we are doing presentations together in front of the entire high school... the kids might be nervous but I'm sure they'll do great! Well I didn't bust out my camera too often because I was busy joining the fun. I made a new frisbee buddy... one of my students, Akira, is a wizard with that thing! His throws were on the money a lot, and he'll catch anything within a mile! He learned quickly too, and was throwing wicked curves and even hammer throws by the end of the day! I had to leave late at night... I really wanted to be at church yesterday... but it was tough to leave because there were a lot of things to do still and I was just starting to have fun and get back some of the energy that I lost by not sleeping the night before! Well anyways, it was a great time. I will take pictures of the presentations and such, and post again tonight or tomorrow.

土曜日はとても長～い一日だった。一人で東村まで運転して、ベトナム交流に参加しました。色んなゲームして、ロッククライムなどやったりして生徒たちはめっちゃ楽しんでた！バーベキューもあってフリスビーもやって超楽しかった！残念ながら僕は疲れたため、ノーテンションだった。フリスビー以外はほとんどのろのろしてた。でも。。。新しいフリスビー仲間を見つけた！１年３組の彰くんはすごい上手だった！またやりたいです！彰！オレのフリスビーはどこだ？？？

今日はプレゼンがあるので、写真撮ってまたブログ更新しま～す！

Good Morning, Vietnam (Part 1)

Yesterday was a monumental day at Okisho. A group of elite students from Vietnam came to our school as part of the Jenesys Exchange Program. They learned flower arrangement (生花), tea ceremony (茶道), and worked with our students on presentations about topics ranging from sports and music to environmental issues and Asia's role in the world. Last night there was a welcome reception, too, and the fun we had was beyond measure! Okisho students did traditional dances, performances, and even a funny little number at the night's end. The Vietnamese students did a great job of matching (surpassing?) our kids by doing dances, songs, and a karate demonstration. It was so COOL! Here are a few pictures - I can't write much more because I have to leave for Higashi-son to attend Day 2 of the exchange. Keep me in your prayers, please!